Iraqi journalist who threw shoes pleads not guilty

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at then-president George W. Bush pleaded not guilty to assault charges and said his action was a "natural response to the occupation." Muntadhar al-Zeidi addressed the judges as his trial resumed Thursday amid tight security. The TV journalist had been in Iraqi custody since he hurled shoes at Bush during a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in December. He faces a charge of assaulting a foreign leader. The defense argued that the current charge is not applicable because Bush was not in Baghdad on an official visit, having arrived unannounced and without an invitation. The judge says the prime minister's office has responded that it was an official visit.