Thursday
Dec182008
Iraqi Shoe-Gate: Update on Muntazar al-Zaidi (18 Dec)
Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7:57
Muntazar al-Zaidi "appeared" before an Iraqi court on Wednesday. The ominous note is that he didn't appear.
According to his brother, al-Zaidi was not present at his hearing. Instead, the judge said he had taken a statement from al-Zaidi in his jail cell. Al-Zaidi's family will not be allowed to see him for another eight days. Understandably, the suspicion is that al-Zaidi was not permitted in court because, in the words of his brother, "My brother was severely beaten and [Iraqi authorities] fear that his appearance could trigger anger at the court.”
The political impact of Shoe-Gate was apparent yesterday: "As [the Iraqi] Parliament began to discuss legislation on the withdrawal from Iraq of armed forces from nations other than the United States, a group of lawmakers demanded that the legislature instead take up the issue" of al-Zaidi's detention. The speaker of the Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, announced his resignation.
Demonstrations for al-Zaidi took place across Iraq. In Fallujah "students raised their shoes and threw rocks at American soldiers, who reportedly opened fire above the crowd".
According to his brother, al-Zaidi was not present at his hearing. Instead, the judge said he had taken a statement from al-Zaidi in his jail cell. Al-Zaidi's family will not be allowed to see him for another eight days. Understandably, the suspicion is that al-Zaidi was not permitted in court because, in the words of his brother, "My brother was severely beaten and [Iraqi authorities] fear that his appearance could trigger anger at the court.”
The political impact of Shoe-Gate was apparent yesterday: "As [the Iraqi] Parliament began to discuss legislation on the withdrawal from Iraq of armed forces from nations other than the United States, a group of lawmakers demanded that the legislature instead take up the issue" of al-Zaidi's detention. The speaker of the Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, announced his resignation.
Demonstrations for al-Zaidi took place across Iraq. In Fallujah "students raised their shoes and threw rocks at American soldiers, who reportedly opened fire above the crowd".
Reader Comments (7)
is there an address to send support to Muntazer al Zaidi's family?
Titive,
The al-Zaidi support group on Facebook may be able to help:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=44431042273&ref=mf
SL
thank you
Why in the hell would you want to support [al-Zaidi]?
i would love to hear from you why not
To Cass:
Because al Zaidi's action symbolize my own rejection to actions carried out by the Bush Administration such as breaking intl laws:
1. the Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its annex: Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land, The Hague, ratified by the U.S., which says:
Art. 3. The armed forces of the belligerent parties may consist of combatants and non-combatants. In the case of capture by the enemy, both have a right to be treated as prisoners of war.
...They must be humanely treated.
...but they cannot be confined
... prisoners of war shall be treated as regards board, lodging, and clothing on the same footing as the troops of the Government who captured them.
In addition to breaking many laws, Bush and his comrades have been plainly inhumane.
titive
http://unpoquitodejusticia.blogspot.com
Well done yaa Muntazir.... Almighty Allah will save you.... we are praying for you and for all muslims in the world, to save from fox "BUSH"... YOU ARE THE HERO NOW....