Bush Shoe Thrower Sentenced – Gets Jail Time

2009-03-13 02:40:46 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Law, News)

The journalist who threw shoes at former President George W Bush gets a three year jail sentence

The journalist receives jail time after throwing shoes at former President George W. Bush.

Wired PR News – The journalist at the heart of last December’s shoe throwing incident, involving then President George W. Bush, has been sentenced to jail time. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Muntadhar al-Zeidi was given a jail sentence of three years for the defiant act, after being convicted of assault.

Al-Zeidi, a 30 year-old Iraqi journalist, was hailed a hero by many throughout the Middle East for throwing his shoes in response to anger over Bush’s war decisions. He is quoted as stating to judges on Thursday, “what I did was a natural response to the occupation” as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Many have expressed anger over the sentence citing it as too harsh of a punishment. Defense attorney Yehya al-Eitabi is quoted in the report as stating, “The sentence was unexpectedly harsh.” Baghdad business owner Salam Omar is further quoted as stating in response to the verdict, “Al-Zeidi should have been honored and not sent to prison.”