A Swiss lawyer working on behalf of the Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at US President George W Bush says his client will seek political asylum in Switzerland. Geneva-based lawyer Mauro Poggia says Muntadar al-Zaidi's life is in danger in Iraq, the Associated Press (AP) has reported.
Al-Zaidi is currently in an Iraqi jail awaiting trial on charges of assaulting a foreign leader for his December 14 outburst at a press conference in Baghdad.
Poggia said he was contacted by al-Zaidi's family earlier this month. He said the journalist has been beaten and tortured in Iraqi detention. Poggia told the Associated Press on Monday that al-Zaidi would have to go to the Swiss Embassy in Baghdad once he is released to formally file the asylum request.
