BAGHDAD – An Iraqi reporter who shot to worldwide fame when he hurled his shoes at then US president George W Bush was released from prison yesterday, accusing the Iraqi guards who seized him of beating and electrocuting him.
Muntazer al-Zaidi, whose outburst during a news conference last December chimed with the feelings of many Iraqis towards the former US leader, was met outside the jail by parliamentarians who support him, his brother Uday al-Zaidi said.
Mr Zaidi was sentenced to three years in jail for assaulting a head of state. His sentence was later reduced to one year.
“Today I am free again, but my home is still a prison,” he told reporters shortly after his release, a swipe at the continued US military presence in Iraq 6½ years after the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein.
Mr Zaidi said he was tortured after he was arrested in a room not far from where the press conference was going on.
He said guards beat him with cables and metal tubes, and subjected him to electric shocks.
His story was not possible to verify independently.
Al-Baghdadiya television showed footage of Mr Zaidi arriving at its station surrounded by guards. He was wrapped in an Iraqi flag and wore black sunglasses.
“The occupation invaded us under the pretext of liberation. It divided brothers, neighbours, it made our houses endless funeral tents and our streets cemeteries,” he said, referring to the tit-for-tat sectarian slaughter unleashed by the invasion that has only subsided in the last two years.
He was slurring his speech due to a missing tooth, but otherwise seemed in good health. His brothers alleged he was beaten by guards after his arrest.
Millions of people across the world saw online or TV footage of Mr Zaidi throwing his shoes at Mr Bush and calling him a “dog”, both particular insults in the Middle East.
An Iraqi court ordered Mr Zaidi’s release on Monday because under Iraqi law all prisoners sentenced to one year without previous convictions, and who show good behaviour, get out after serving three-quarters of the sentence.
Many Iraqis who backed the war to remove Saddam turned against the United States after his fall, angered by its actions such as the refusal to intervene to stop looting, formal occupation of Iraq with a US viceroy, and the sexual humiliation of prisoners at Abu Ghraib.
“I felt humiliated to see my country burn and my people killed,” Mr Zaidi said, explaining his outburst.
Mr Zaidis protest caused huge embarrassment to Mr Bush and Iraqi prime minister Nuri al-Maliki, who tried to intercept one of the shoes as he stood beside Bush.
“Thanks be to God that Muntazer has seen the light of day,” his brother Uday said. “I wish Bush could see our happiness. When president Bush looks back and turns the pages of his life, he will see the shoes of Muntazer al Zaidi on every page.”
Many viewers, including in the US, applauded the journalist’s bravery, he added.
Venezuela’s anti-American President Hugo Chavez called him courageous. A Libyan group headed by Muammar Gadafy’s daughter gave him an award.
Fathers from other Arab nations have offered Mr Zaidi their daughters as brides.
At Mr Zaidi’s house, his family and a crowd of supporters who were eagerly awaiting him cheered and chanted.
“I feel proud because Zaidi lives in my neighbourhood. I like telling people that,” said Arkan al-Fartousi (25), who was carrying a jug of juice which he served to thirsty supporters. “I’m so happy he’s out from jail.” – (Reuters)