(19 Jan 2009) HEADLINE: Dispute over shoe-throwers future plans
CAPTION: A Swiss lawyer for the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush says his client his seeking asylum in Switzerland, because his life is in danger in Iraq. But, one of Muntadhar al-Zeidi's brothers denies the claim. (Jan. 19)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
THE MAN WHO THREW HIS SHOES AT PRESIDENT BUSH MAY BE A FOLK HERO TO SOME, BUT HE'S BEEN GIVEN DEATH THREATS FROM OTHERS. MUNTADHAR AL-ZEIDI'S LAWYER SAYS HIS CLIENT IS SEEKING POLITICAL ASYLUM IN SWITZERLAND
LAST MONTH THE 30-YEAR-OLD JOURNALIST THREW HIS SHOES AT PRESIDENT BUSH DURING A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NOURI AL-MALIKI. PRESIDENT BUSH DUCKED THE SHOES, WHILE GUARDS SEIZED AL-ZEIDI.
NOW, AL-ZEIDI'S LAWYER SAYS HIS CLIENT'S LIFE IS IN DANGER BECAUSE THOSE WHO SUPPORT HIS ACTION --MAY TRY TO MAKE HIM A MARTYR. HE BELIEVES THAT IF AL-ZEIDI IS HARMED IT COULD TRIGGER VIOLENT PROTESTS IN IRAQ. THOUSANDS HAVE ALREADY TAKEN TO THE STREETS IN SUPPORT.
SWITZERLAND'S REPUTATION AS A SAFE, NEUTRAL COUNTRY IS GIVING AL-ZEIDI'S FAMILY HOPE. IT'S CAPITAL OF GENEVA IS THE SEAT OF THE RED CROSS MOVEMENT AND THE EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
AL-ZEIDI WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE'S RELEASED FROM JAIL TO MAKE HIS ASYLUM REQUEST-- AT THE SWISS EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD. IRAQI OFFICIALS ARE STILL WRANGLING OVER WHAT CHARGES HE'LL FACE AND WHEN HE'LL BE TRIED.

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