4A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Muntadhar al-Zeidi, center, an Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush, is seen on his release from a Baghdad prison Tuesday, Sept. 15. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was deeply embarrassed by his act of protest. Al-Maliki was standing beside Bush at a Dec. 14 news conference when the reporter suddenly shot up in his chair and hurled his shoes toward the podium.
INTERNATIONAL
Reporter claims he was tortured in prison
BY HAMZA HENDAWI
Associated Press
BAGHDAD—The Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush in protest was freed from prison on Tuesday and, unrepentant, he harshly condemned the U.S. presence in his country and accused authorities of torturing him.
Muntadhar al-Zeidi's stunning act of protest in December made him a hero for many in and outside Iraq. It struck a chord with millions in the Arab and Muslim worlds who have been captivated and angered by daily images of destruction and grieving since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
But nine months later, there was little public outpouring of support for him,a sign of how things have changed.
Since the incident, U.S. forces have pulled back from Iraq's cities, significantly lowering the profile of the U.S. military ahead of a planned full withdrawal from the country.
Also, Barack Obama — seen by many Muslims as more sympathetic to their cause — is now in the White House in place of Bush, whom many blamed for unleashing Iraq's turmoil. Moreover, with some improvements in security, some Iraqis are undecided on whether the invasion was an unmitigated evil as many long depicted it.
A spokesman who works for Bush in his Dallas office declined to comment Tuesday.
Talking to reporters after his release, al-Zeidi said he only wanted to avenge his country's humiliation.
"Here I am, free, but my country remains captive," he said. "I confess that I am no hero, but I was humiliated to see my country violated, my Baghdad burn and my people killed."
His protest came on Bush's final visit to Iraq as president, on Dec. 14. At a press conference, al-Zeidi shot up from his chair and hurled his shoes toward Bush at the
podium, shouting "this is your farewell kiss, you dog!" and "this is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
Bush ducked twice to avoid being hit and was unhurt. Al-Zeidi was wrestled to the ground by journalists and security men. The protest was a deep embarrassment to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was standing beside Bush.
On Tuesday, a pale looking al-Zeidi, in a dark suit, tie and
a newly grown beard, spoke emotionally of the suffering of Iraqs since 2003, citing that as the motive for what he did.
"Simply put, what incited me toward confrontation is the oppression that fell upon
my people and how the occupation wanted to humiliate my homeland by placing it under its boots," he said in a prepared statement he read at the offices of Al-Baghdadi TV station, where he works and where he went
"I confess that I am no hero, but I was humiliated to see my country violated."
immediately after his release.
he said senior officials from al-Maliki's government and Iraq's army tortured him with beatings, whippings and electric shocks immediately after his detention. At least two of al-Zeidi's teeth appeared to be missing when he spoke at the TV station, but it was not immediately clear whether he lost them due to beatings.
Al-Zeidi also said he feared for his life and claimed that U.S.
MUNTADHAR AL-ZEIDI Iraqi reporter
agents wanted to kill him
In Washington,
CIA spokesman
George Little
dismissed that claim,
saying, "That's so
foolish as to warrant
no further comment."
acknowledged that al-Zeidi had made serious allegations of rights abuse.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly
"These kinds of accusation we take very seriously, and we trust that the Iraqi government will take them seriously, as well," he said.
News of al-Zeidi's release brought jubilant scenes at his family home, a modest apartment in a central Baghdad commercial district.
Female relatives danced and ululated when al-Zeidi called his brother Uday to say that he was released. Men performed traditional dances and chanted rhymed verses in his honor. Sweets were handed to the two dozen reporters present and glasses of sweetened fruit drinks were given to motorists outside. Sheep were slaughtered in his honor and children wore their best clothes, with little girls in satin and lace dresses and boys in dark suits.
Haidar al-Zeidi, a 6-year-old nephew of the reporter, recited a poem composed by his father Dargham. Its refrain was "glory be to the shoes" and referred to Bush as a blood sucker.
Al-Zeidi went from the TV station to an undisclosed location for the night. His brother Uday said the reporter will travel Thursday to Greece for medical checkups and because he had concerns about his safety in Iraq. The owner of Al-Baghdadiya, businessman Aoun al-Khashloug, is based in Greece.
The Cairo-based lawyer for the channel, Anass al-Bayaty, said a private plane commissioned by the owner was picking al-Zeidi from Baghdad Tuesday night and flying him to Syria before moving on to Europe.
NATIONAL
Former governor's aide kills himself
BY MIKE ROBINSON
Associated Press
CHICAGO — Police in a Chicago suburb say that a former fundraiser for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich committed suicide.
Country Club Hills Police Chief Regina Evans says 51-year-old Christopher Kelly also tried to hurt himself last Tuesday night after pleading guilty to fraud charges involving O'Hare International Airport.
Evans says friends took Kelly to the hospital that night, but
they did not go in after Kelly agreed to help for his depression. Evans says Kelly left a note Tuesday but did not.
disclose what it said.
Three nights later, Kelly was found slumped over the steering wheel of his Cadillac Escalade in a lumberyard and was taken to a hospital. He died Saturday morning, less than a week before he was to report to prison.
INTERNATIONAL Cuba eases restrictions on organized religion
HAVANA — Cuba will allow inmates to attend Roman Catholic Mass and Protestant services inside prisons, a top religious leader said Tuesday, in a significant easing of the communist government's policy toward organized religion.
Authorities from the religious affairs wing of the Cuban Communist Party agreed to authorize organized worship behind bars after a meeting with prison officials.
Associated Press
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