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: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Iraq court delays trial of shoe-throwing journalist

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

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[JURIST] The Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCCI) on Tuesday postponed the trial of Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the journalist accused of throwing his shoes at US President George W. Bush. The trial will resume after the Iraqi High Judicial Council determines whether al-Zaidi should be charged with "assaulting a foreign leader," a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison, or the lesser crime of "insulting a foreign leader," punishable by a no more than three years in prison. Lawyers for Al-Zaidi sought to have the crime downgraded, arguing that Bush was not put in real danger by the incident. Zaidi's family members, Iraqi protesters, and advocacy group Codepink have called for his pardon and release. A date for a ruling on the charges against al-Zaidi has not been set. Those opposed to al-Zaidi's trial have criticized the CCCI for failing to meet international standards of fairness and due process, and have alleged that al-Zaidi was beaten while in custody. There have also been allegations that a purported apology letter for the incident was forged on al-Zaidi behalf. The shoe-throwing incident occurred at a December 14 joint news conference where Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki were discussing the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 30, 2008 (boomark / email).