BBC
December 16, 2008
The brother of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush has said that the reporter has been beaten in custody.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Muntadar al-Zaidi has allegedly suffered a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding, his older brother, Dargham, told the BBC.
Mr Zaidi threw his shoes at Mr Bush at a news conference, calling him “a dog”.
A spokesperson for the Iraqi military says the journalist is in good health and said the allegations were untrue.
It is unclear whether the reporter may have been injured when he was wrestled to the floor at the news conference, or at a later point.
The head of Iraq’s journalists’ union has asked the government for clemency towards the journalist who is still in custody.
A spokesman for Iraq’s High Judicial Council said that Mr Zaidi, accompanied by defence and prosecution lawyers, had been brought before the investigating judge, Reuters news agency reported.
Abdul Satar Birqadr said Mr Zaidi had been charged with aggression against a president.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!