Yassin Majid, press aide to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, claims that Muntadar al-Zeidi, the now-legendary shoe-man of Baghdad, has apologized for his actions.

Citing a hand-written letter, the contents and details of which were not made public, Majid says Zeidi asked for “the prime minister’s pardon” regarding the incident and that he expressed regret for his “big and ugly act.”

Zeidi’s apology would be a significant relief to Prime Minister Maliki, given the rising number of rallies and acts in support of the journalist’s protest. But as rumors of his injury in custody abounding, Zeidi is still being held incommunicado. The investigating judge said the injuries occurred during his arrest, not his interrogation, and that Zeidi is being treated by a doctor in the jail.

Majid insisted that Prime Minister Maliki was not pondering revenge against Zeidi for his actions, and that he intends to leave the journalist’s fate “in the hands of the law.”

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