Source : Gulf News
Baghdad: An Iraqi television station on Monday demanded the immediate release of one of its journalists who threw shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad.
Muntadhar Al Zaidi, a correspondent for Al Baghdadia television, threw two shoes at Bush but missed the target as the shoes smacked into a wall behind Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.
Al Zaidi was immediately wrestled to the ground by security guards and frogmarched from the room.
The television station said in a statement they wanted the journalist freed for "fear for his safety."
"Al Baghdadia television demands that the Iraqi authorities immediately release their stringer Muntadhar Al Zaidi, in line with the democracy and freedom of expression that the American authorities promised the Iraqi people," the TV station said in a statement.
In Cairo, Muzhir Al Khafaji, programming director for the television channel, described Al Zaidi as a "proud Arab and an open-minded man."
Al Zaidi had jumped up as Bush was holding a press conference, shouting "It is the farewell kiss, you dog" before throwing the shoes at the US leader.
When asked about the incident shortly after, Bush joked: "All I can report is a size 10."
[youtube]9uIj0YvDBKE[/youtube]
Baghdad: An Iraqi television station on Monday demanded the immediate release of one of its journalists who threw shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad.
Muntadhar Al Zaidi, a correspondent for Al Baghdadia television, threw two shoes at Bush but missed the target as the shoes smacked into a wall behind Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.
Al Zaidi was immediately wrestled to the ground by security guards and frogmarched from the room.
The television station said in a statement they wanted the journalist freed for "fear for his safety."
"Al Baghdadia television demands that the Iraqi authorities immediately release their stringer Muntadhar Al Zaidi, in line with the democracy and freedom of expression that the American authorities promised the Iraqi people," the TV station said in a statement.
In Cairo, Muzhir Al Khafaji, programming director for the television channel, described Al Zaidi as a "proud Arab and an open-minded man."
Al Zaidi had jumped up as Bush was holding a press conference, shouting "It is the farewell kiss, you dog" before throwing the shoes at the US leader.
When asked about the incident shortly after, Bush joked: "All I can report is a size 10."
[youtube]9uIj0YvDBKE[/youtube]
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