Iraqi Reporter Was Beaten After Throwing Shoes, Judge Admits

Court Date to be Set Within 10 Days

by Jason Ditz, December 19, 2008

The investigating judge for Muntadar al-Zeidi conceded that the journalist was beaten after throwing his shoes at President Bush on Sunday, and said that an investigation was in underway to determine the identities of those who beat him. The judge said his investigation will be concluded by Sunday, with a court date to be scheduled within 7-10 days.

Zeidi’s family has expressed concern about his condition, as none of his relatives or his lawyer has been allowed to see him since his arrest on Sunday. Earlier in the week it was reported that Zeidi was hospitalized for a broken arm and broken ribs, though the judge only mentioned bruising to his face in his comments.

In the wake of the incident, Zeidi has become an international celebrity as well as something of a folk hero across the Middle East. Since then, protesters have taken to the streets in Iraq as well as other countries. It is being reported that in the West Bank village of Bilin, protesters hurled shoes at Israeli soldiers during their weekly anti-barrier protest.

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