Muntazar al-Zaidi

The Iraqi journalist jailed after hurling his shoes at former President George W. Bush, will be released next month after his sentence was reduced for good behaviour.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi’s act during Bush’s last visit to Iraq as President turned the 30-year-old reporter into a folk hero across the Arab world, amid growing anger at the 2003 invasion. He did not use a weapon nor did he try to kill Mr Bush still he was sent to prison. He should get a hero’s welcome now. What he did was enough to show the frustration of the people and countries invaded by US.

He has been in custody since the outburst on December 14 last year during a Bush news conference. The President was forced to duck for cover as the journalist shouted in Arabic: ‘This is your farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.’

His lawyer, Karim al-Shujairi, said: ‘His release will be a victory for the free and honourable Iraqi media.’ Yes it is a vistory but I hope people of Iraq and Afghanistan get real freedom too. Freedom from the American chosen local leaders too. People of Pakistan are are equal victim of this war. Come and live in Pakistan now and compare it with post 9/11 Pakistan you will be amazed. Houses are gaurded, cantonments are locked, diplomats have forts and streets have blockages at every few meters. Who made life miserable for us in Pakistan???

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It has been established so far that:

1. The leather originated from Qasur in Pakistan.

2. Stitching was carried out in Sialkot by a shoe maker using child labor; names withheld pending interrogation.

3. The pair was sold by a shoe store in Liberty Market, Lahore.

4. The pair was transported by rubber dinghy from Karachi via the Shatt Al Arab waterway to Basra.

5. The cyanide-tipped steel blade discovered in the toe of one shoe was made in Waziristan or Wazirabad, Pakistan, and found stuck in a folded position.

6. The Pakistan government has assured its fullest support to the investigation while expressing the urgent request that drone attacks on Pakistani territory should not be doubled in frequency.

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