The Iraqi reporter who hurled his shoes at then-President George W. Bush was released from prison Tuesday, saying he was tortured in jail and fears for his life.
"I was tortured with electric shocks, beaten with cables," Muntazer al-Zaidi told reporters shortly after his release.
He also said he endured water boarding, the controversial simulated-drowning technique some interrogators used on terror suspects.
"I will name later those involved in torturing me, among them high ranking officials in the government and the Army," Zaidi said.
Zaidi, 30, added that he fears American intelligence agencies would like to see him dead.
Zaidi had been behind bars since he shouted, "It is the farewell kiss, you dog," at Bush last Dec. 14, before throwing his size 10s.
Bush ducked the flying footwear and laughed off the attack. The incident caused massive embarrassment to both him and the Iraqi prime minister, who were at a press conference in Baghdad on what was Bush's farewell visit to Iraq prior to Barack Obama taking office.
Many viewers applauded Zaidi's bravery, and he was heralded as a cult hero in the Middle East. Venezuela's anti-American President Hugo Chavez called him courageous. Arab fathers have offered Muntazer their daughters as brides.
Zaidi was sentenced to three years for the attack, but his sentence was reduced to one year for good behavior.
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12:54 AM
Moderate Islamist here
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