OntheWilderSide

KW: Well, it is good news, if for the trial, the Iraqi government finally allows the public a glimpse at Muntadha al-Zeidi so that the world knows he is well.

Since the AP story on the subject inserts some “hot” words into their story, such as applying the word “outburst” to al-Zeidi’s action, I think it is only equally as fair and neutral of me to insert my own adjectives.

Here is the story. My words in [ ]…

(Excerpt from) Oroville Mercury-Record / AP
Trial date set for Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush
Posted: 02/08/2009 04:08:15 AM PST

BAGHDAD—A judicial spokesman says a new trial date has been set for the Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at then-President [and war criminal, and supporter of torture] George W. Bush.

…Muntadhar al-Zeidi [the eloquent shoe-thrower] will face the court on Feb. 19 on a charge of assaulting a foreign leader.

Al-Zeidi has been in custody [and probably tortured at various times by the Iraqi government] since the Dec. 14 outburst at Bush’s joint news conference with [Bush condoner] Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki…

…the charge of assaulting a foreign leader will stand.

Note: This story, and the press in general, has tried to imply that the trial delays were a victory of Al Zeidi’s defense team. It was stated that they won
a delay in the trial. But, of course, no one would have wanted a delay in Al Zeidi appearing before the public, to note the extent of his injuries from the unwarranted security assault on him at the time of the incident, and the torture of him shortly thereafter (the press heard his cries in the next room during the completion of the press conference) and the possible torture he received at various points of his detention. It is truly shocking that, a few days after his arrest, at his “arraignment” (though the court system is somewhat different), neither his lawyers nor family were allowed to see Al Zeidi, and he did not appear in court as is supposed to happen.

Filed under: international politics, Iraq, media, News, Political Websites, progressive politics, rants, US Politics, war Tagged: | al-Zaidi, al-Zeidi, courts, Iraq, Journalist, justice, Nouri al-Maliki, President Bush, shoe, torture, war