The family of the Iraqi man known around the world as the “shoe man” are accusing his captors of abuse.
Muntazer al-Zaidi is the man seen on video hurling his size 10 shoes at George Bush’s head during Bush’s final farewell tour of Iraq over the weekend.
“He has got a broken arm and ribs, and cuts to his eye and arm,” said his brother, Durgham al-Zaidi. “He is being held by forces under the command of Muwafaq al-Rubaie [Iraq’s national security adviser].”
Thousands of Iraqi protesters took to the streets of Baghdad for a second day yesterday demanding al-Zaidi’s release. Thousands more marched in Mosul, Iraq’s third largest city, north of Baghdad, carrying banners proclaiming al-Zaidi a hero.
In Baghdad, the head of the Iraqi Union of Journalists described Mr al-Zaidi’s action as “strange and unprofessional” but urged Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to give him clemency.
“Even if he has committed a mistake, the Government and the judiciary are broad-minded and we hope they consider his release because he has a family and he is still young,” Mouyyad al-Lami said. “We hope this case ends before going to court.” (LINK)
