During a 14 December 2008 press conference at the prime minister's palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at United States president George W. Bush.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino was hit in the face by a microphone boom knocked over by a presidential bodyguard, resulting in a black eye.

A conviction of these charges could have carried a sentence of up to two years in prison or a small fine, although he would have been unlikely to face the maximum penalty given his newfound "cult status" in the Arab world, according to a Middle-East observer.

[14] Matthew Cassel of The Electronic Intifada in the context of the "Bush shoeing" incident expressed the opinion that the Western media overplayed the phenomenon as being "Arab" in particular.

[16] Al-Zaidi found support from his employer, Awn Hussain Al Khashlok,[17] thousands of protesters in Iraq,[16][18] some Iraqi politicians,[19][20] people in Syria,[16] a charity in Libya,[21] and from "around 200 lawyers" including some U.S.

[22] After the incident the office of Nouri al-Maliki criticised al-Zaidi's action and "demanded" an on-air apology from Al-Baghdadia TV.

Waniewski's tribute to Mr. al-Zaidi’s was a 21kg bronze piece of art depicting the thrown shoes, completely gilded in 24 carat gold.

[28] On 3 March 2010, Blancox, a Colombian detergent manufacturer made an advertisement out of the shoe-throwing incident, by replacing the shoes with beautiful bouquets of flowers to signify 'fabric freshness and softness treasured in it'.

The Iraqi authorities should also disclose his whereabouts, ensure that he is permitted prompt and regular access to legal counsel, his family and to any medical attention he requires, and safeguard him from torture or other ill-treatment," he added.

"Given the controversy surrounding this incident, we urge the Iraqi security services to guarantee the physical well-being of this journalist, who was clearly injured during his arrest," the statement said.

"We urge all human rights organizations and the international society to help save the life of the Iraqi journalist and prevent any physical assault that may target him," union head Sameh Ashour said.

[35] A commentary in the North Korean newspaper Minju Chosun said Bush "deserved" the shoe throwing incident as a result of "failed policy in Iraq".

"We want the Iraqi government and the world to know that there is a very good sentiment for him to be set free," said Nick Mottern, director of Consumers for Peace.

[43] The Late Show with David Letterman "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" segment included flying shoes aimed at other presidents (via digitally altered stock footage).

[citation needed] The Turkish company believed to have made the shoes thrown at Bush, Ramazan Baydan, experienced a surge in sales.

Even so, al-Zaidi's brother insisted that the shoes were made in Baghdad by a highly reputable firm named Alaa Haddad.

[52] Mahesh Bhatt produced a play entitled The Last Salute, directed by Indian director Arvind Gaur and starring Imran Zahid.

"[93] On 30 December 2008, an Iraqi court said al-Zaidi's trial had been postponed pending an appeal over whether the incident amounted to assault or only insulting a foreign leader.

Dhargham al-Zaidi, said his family would turn to an international court if they found the Iraqi jurisdiction system "biased and unfair.

"[94] In January 2009, al-Zaidi's lawyers petitioned Swiss authorities for political asylum, arguing that his life is at risk in Iraq.

[96] In testimony before the court, al-Zaidi described his growing frustration as Bush spoke about his victories and achievement at the press conference where the shoe was thrown.

As Bush listed the gains made in Iraq during the mid-December news conference, al-Zaidi said he was thinking about the sanctity of mosques being violated, the rape of women, and daily humiliations.

[101] "This sentence is harsh and is not in harmony with the law, and eventually the defense team will contest this in the appeals court," Dhia Al Saadi further said.

"[102] Zaidi's brother Uday said he scorns "those who say Iraqi justice is independent" and that the "court was set up according to Paul Bremer decisions.

"[104] The family said they would not only appeal but also press ahead with plans to bring torture charges against Bush, Maliki and his bodyguards at a human rights court abroad.

[100] Maha al-Dori, an Iraqi parliament member, said he felt the ruling showed the judges may have been motivated by political concerns.

[1] Judge Abdul Sattar al-Beeraqdar, spokesman for Iraq's Higher Judicial Council, said the court reduced al-Zaidi's sentence because he is young and had no previous criminal record.

[107] Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki argued al-Zaidi could have faced 15 years in jail or even execution for insulting a visiting head of state.

[108] Defense attorney Karim al-Shujairi said al-Zaidi would be released on 14 September 2009, after spending nine months in jail, he would be freed early for good behavior.

"[112] In an interview which aired on Egypt's Dream 2 TV on 12 June 2010, Al-Zaidi stated that it was because of "Bush's bloodthirsty nature" that the former president visited Haiti following a massive earthquake.