Iraqi reporter who threw shoes at US’s George W. Bush in 2008 stands for parliament

11 May, 2018 11:54 / Updated 6 years ago

An Iraqi journalist, who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a news conference a decade ago, is standing for parliament - campaigning against corruption and sectarianism. TV correspondent Muntazer al-Zaidi served six months in prison for assaulting a visiting leader after throwing his footwear at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in 2008. He shouted: “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog!” Bush ducked twice as the shoes sailed over his head. Zaidi is running for a parliament seat as a member of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's firebrand movement, Reuters said. The cleric’s militia waged a violent campaign against the US military during its occupation of Iraq, but has redefined itself as an opponent of militant sectarianism.