The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at George Bush over the war in Iraq has been jailed for three years.
Muntadhar al-Zeidi, 30, pleaded not guilty to assault charges, saying his action was a “natural response to the occupation”.
The Iraqi TV journalist has been in Iraqi custody since he hurled shoes at the then-US president during a joint news conference with Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki in December. He faces a charge of assaulting a foreign leader.
The defence argued that the current charge is not applicable because Mr Bush was not in Baghdad on an official visit, having arrived unannounced and without an invitation.
The judge said the prime minister’s office responded that it was an official visit.
Mr al-Zeidi is expected to appeal the sentence.