Hero or villain? Iraq's shoe thrower faces judgment

Was it an act of rudeness or bravery? While Muntadhar al-Zeidi appeared before a Baghdad judge Thursday for hurling shoes at President Bush, the court of public opinion is still split over whether he's a hero or an embarrassment.

Mr. Zeidi's friends and family cheered and ululated as the Arab world's most famous journalist was escorted into Baghdad's central criminal court. An aunt, Nuwal Lazim, thrust a scarf patterned after the Iraqi flag at him. He kissed it before tossing it on his neck.

But since the Dec. 14 shoe-throwing affair was beamed around the world, overshadowing Mr. Bush's farewell tour, many Iraqis have privately complained Zeidi's actions toward a guest were inexcusable.

Whether or not Bush was a guest is indeed the crux of Zeidi's defense – and he had 16 defense lawyers ready to argue that case. Though he admitted to even practicing tossing his shoes at the president, he claims Bush wasn't invited here, so he can't be guilty of insulting a visiting dignitary.

Zeidi's lawyers argue that Bush represents an occupying force and came to Baghdad uninvited. Therefore, their client should only face a fine for attempted assault against an ordinary citizen – a crime that carries only a fine. If convicted of assaulting a head-of-state he could face 15 years in prison.

The court adjourned until March 12 to decide whether the defense's argument is valid.

Regardless of what Iraqis really think of Zeidi and his shoes, he has certainly emerged as a cult hero here and throughout the Arab world. When he stood on the dock, he explained that he had been waiting for two years to deliver the message to Bush regarding the suffering that Iraqis have endured throughout the war.

"As an Iraqi journalist I know these things very well," he said. "At that moment I imagined Bush was standing in Iraqi blood."

He said he did not intend to hurt Bush but had dreamed of carrying out the protest since 2006 when he videotaped himself practicing throwing the shoes in hopes that he would be able to attend a press conference with Bush in Jordan.

Zeidi, a Baghdad correspondent for the Cairo-based Al-Baghdadiya TV channel, has been in Iraqi custody since Dec.14 when he took off the first shoe and then the other and hurled them at Bush's head during a press conference in Baghdad's Green Zone. As he threw them, he shouted that it was retribution from Iraqi widows and orphans.

Bush ducked and laughed off the incident but it deeply embarrassed Mr. Maliki, who was standing beside Bush. Zeidi was wrestled to the ground and dragged away. His family and defense lawyers say a chipped tooth is proof that he was beaten in custody.

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