Bush shoe-attacker receives similar treatment in Paris

Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi television reporter who became an overnight sensation for hurling his shoes at former US president George W. Bush, found himself similarly attacked in Paris.

Al-Zaidi was holding a news conference about his crusade for the Iraqi war victims when an exiled Iraqi journalist stood up and accused him of being a sympathizer of the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, before throwing his shoe at Al-Zaidi.

The shoe did not hit al-Zaidi, but a fracas resulted in the audience.

Al-Zaidi’s shoe-throwing at Bush and his shout of “this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog,” has become a symbol of Iraqi resentment against America’s invasion of Iraq.

Al-Zaidi was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the assault.  His prison term was commuted to one year.

[via reuters.com]