Family: Shoe thrower hates both U.S., Iran role

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi TV reporter who hurled his shoes at President Bush was kidnapped once by militants and, separately, detained briefly by the U.S. military.

Over time, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, a 28-year-old unmarried Shiite, came to hate both the U.S. military occupation and Iran's interference in Iraq, his family saidMonday.

Al-Zeidi's act of defiance Sunday transformed an obscure reporter from a minor TV station into a national hero to many Iraqis fed up with the nearly six-year U.S. presence here, but also fearful their country will fall under Iran's influence once the Americans leave.

Several thousand people demonstrated in Baghdad and other cities to demand al-Zeidi's release. The attack was the talk of the town in coffee shops, business offices and even schools -- and a subject across much of the Arab world.

Al-Zeidi was held Monday in Iraqi custody for investigation and could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi prime minister, who was standing next to Bush. Conviction carries a sentence of up to two years in prison or a small fine -- although it's unlikely he would face the maximum penalty given his newfound cult status in the Arab world.

In this series of images made from APTN video, Muntadar al-Zeidi, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia television, foreground center, throws a shoe at U.S. President George W. Bush, background left, during a news conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, background right, on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in Baghdad. The man threw two shoes at Bush, one after another, and was then taken into custody. Neither man was hit. In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of contempt. (AP Photo/APTN) ** Three images placed in chronological order from left to right.

Bush was not hit or injured in the attack, and Iraqi security guards wrestled al-Zeidi to the ground immediately after he tossed his shoes.

But Bush took a drubbing later as Arab satellite TV networks repeatedly broadcast images of him ducking the shoes at the Baghdad news conference. The sight of an average Arab standing up and making a public show of resentment was striking -- especially against a leader widely blamed for a litany of crimes, including the turmoil in Iraq.