THE IRAQI journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush was tortured into writing a letter of apology to the country's prime minister, his brother said yesterday. Muntazer al-Zaidi was wrestled to the ground after throwing his shoes during a news conference held by the US president and the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, last week.
The investigating judge in the case said that Mr al-Zaidi, who will stand trial on December 31st, had been beaten around the face and eyes. Mr al-Zaidi's brother Uday said the journalist suffered worse injuries, including a missing tooth and cigarette burns to his ears, and planned to sue.
Mr al-Zaidi is in custody and faces up to two years in jail for insulting a foreign leader. The premier's office said last week that Mr al-Zaidi had written a letter of apology and asked the prime minister to recommend a pardon.
Uday al-Zaidi said his brother told him the letter had been written against his will after he had been subjected to torture, including being doused with cold water while naked.
"He told me that he has no regret because of what he did [throwing the shoes] and that he would do it again," Uday said. "The thing that makes you cry and laugh at the same time is that when the prime minister said that my brother was not tortured and will not be tortured, he was under severe torture by security authorities." Mr al-Maliki said Mr al-Zaidi had admitted in the letter that a terrorist had induced him to throw the shoes. "He revealed . . . that a person provoked him to commit this act and that person is known to us for slitting throats," Mr al-Maliki said.
Footage of the attack was repeatedly broadcast worldwide and Mr al-Zaidi became a symbol for opponents of the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Thousands of Iraqis have rallied to demand his release and the Turkish company that claims to have manufactured his shoes has reported a surge in sales. - ( Guardianservice)