Iraq shoe-thrower jailed for 3 years

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-13-2009 09:40

A Baghdad court has sentenced an Iraqi reporter who hurled his shoes at former US President George W. Bush to three years in prison.

The verdict came after a short trial in which Muntadhar al-Zeidi, pleaded not guilty to the charge and said his action was a "natural response to the occupation".

In this Dec. 14, 2008 file photo, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi throws a shoe at President George W. Bush during a new conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Outside the courtroom, al-Zeidi's sister burst into tears when she heard the verdict, shouting "Down with Bush".

Relatives described the sentence as farce.

Uday Ay Al-Zeidi, Brother of Muntadhar Al-Zeidi, said, "This is no court, a political sentence prepared in advance. The judge entered the court and when the lawyer wanted to speak, the judge told him to do so after appeal. That is there was no deliberation in the first place.

Defense lawyers say they will appeal because they believe the action was a legitimate political protest.