Trial delayed for Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush

The trial of an Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush in Baghdad has been postponed pending an appeal over whether the incident amounted to an assault, his lawyer said yesterday.

TV journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi is charged with assault against a foreign head of state, which could carry a 15-year prison term, after he hurled both his shoes at Mr Bush during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki this month and called him a dog.

Mr Zaidi's lawyer Dhiaa al-Saadi told Reuters the defence was appealing to have the charge reduced to insulting a visiting head of state, which would carry a two-year maximum sentence, because throwing shoes could not have put Mr Bush in actual danger.

"Have you ever heard of anyone being killed by a shoe?" Dr al-Saadi said. "In Europe, they throw eggs and rotten tomatoes to insult. In Iraq, throwing a shoe is a symbol of disrespect."

Iraqi High Judicial Council spokesman Abdul Satar Birqadr said Mr Zaidi's appeal request would be examined, resulting in a delay in the trial which was to have begun today.

"Due to a legal appeal presented by defendant Muntazer al-Zaidi's lawyers to the Federal Appeal Court, the case has been referred to this court for study," Mr Birqadr said in a statement. "Therefore, the Central Criminal Court has adjourned the case pending (its) ruling."

US-backed Mr Maliki has condemned the outburst, which made Mr Zaidi an icon in Iraq and the Middle East. Public sympathy for the shoe-thrower means Mr Maliki may wish to avoid a tough punishment being imposed on Mr Zaidi ahead of provincial elections next month.

The trial will be closely watched for signs of unfair treatment. The defendant's lawyer has said his client was severely beaten following the incident.