BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at then-President George W. Bush at a news conference in December could be released from jail as early as next week, his attorney told CNN on Friday.
TV reporter Muntadher al-Zaidi, shown in a file photo, was jailed after throwing his shoes at President Bush.
1 of 2 Muntadhar al-Zaidi is serving one year in prison after his original three-year sentence was reduced by an appellate court in April.
Dhiyaa al-Saadi, head of Iraq's Bar Association and al-Zaidi's chief defense attorney, said he had submitted a petition about two months ago to authorities requesting the release, but no decision has been announced yet. Under Iraqi law, a "conditional discharge" allows for the release of a prisoner after he serves three-quarters of his sentence and is based on good behavior during detention.
Al-Zaidi has been in jail since the December 14 news conference at which he threw both his shoes at Bush and called him a "dog" -- two of the worst insults in the Middle East. Bush ducked the shoes and was not hurt in the incident.
Al-Saadi was optimistic about his client's release happening as early as Monday.
On Thursday, al-Zaidi's family was preparing for his possible release; his two brothers Udey and Dhirgham along with their children plastered the walls of their modest Baghdad home with his posters.
comment... he should run for president of iraq
rest of article:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/11/iraq.shoe.thrower/index.html