Baghdad (24/7 News Network): Breaking News! Muntazer al-Zaidi, the 30-year-old Iraqi journalist, who threw shoes at former US President George W. Bush during a press conference last December, was sentenced to three years in jail by an Iraqi court. Muntazer al-Zaidi pleaded not guilty during the hearing at the Iraq Central Criminal Court. However, the court pronounced the verdict after taking the material evidence into account. "Iraq, long live Iraq", shouted Muntazer al-Zaidi, after the verdict was pronounced.
A large number of supporters gathered on various streets of Iraq to protest against the verdict. They claimed that Muntazer was innocent and whatever he had done, was to salvage the Iraqi pride.
Muntazer's family members also demanded his release, saying he did nothing wrong. Judge Abdulamir Hassan al-Rubaie said that he pronounced a lesser punishment for Muntazer, as he was young and it was his first offence.
Muntazer al-Zaidi was hailed as a hero in the Arab and Muslim world after the shoe-throwing incident. During the hearing, Zaidi said that his reaction was natural, just like any Iraqi. George W. Bush is considered as the most hatred figure in Iraq and Muslim world for his war against Iraq and Afghanistan.
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