Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Released, Says He Was Tortured

Muntadar Al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who flung a pair of shoes at former President George W. Bush, has been released after nine months in prison. His original sentence of three years was eventually reduced to one year, and he was released early for good behavior. In a defiant press conference hours after he emerged from prison, Zaidi defended his behavior and vowed to release the names of military and government officials who he says tortured him.

"I saw the chance and I seized it," Zaidi said, defending his now-infamous shoe attack. "If those who blamed me knew how many destroyed houses I walked over with those shoes that I threw; and how many times those shoes mixed with the blood of the innocent; and how many times those shoes went into homes where the honor of those who lived there was disgraced, then it was probably the proper response."

Zaidi's family members said he would travel to Greece for medical and psychological care, and to escape potential retribution for outing his alleged torturers. Zaidi claimed at the press conference that he was beaten with pipes and steel cables and given electric shocks; he also said he was severely beaten immediately after the shoe-throwing incident, where he could still hear Bush's news conference continuing inside.

Iraqi supporters cheered on the street as Zaidi spoke, and family members wept in celebration. He was lionized across the Middle East: Libya presented him with its Medal of Freedom, and Syria put up banners and photos in congratulation. A Saudi businessman reportedly offered Zaidi $10 million for the fateful pair of shoes.

Iraqi Shoe Thrower Says He Was Tortured in Jail [New York Times]