The Doha Centre for Media Freedom has expressed concern about the ill-treatment of journalist Muntazer Al Zaidi, who has been held by Iraqi security forces after he threw a pair of shoes at US President George W Bush at a press conference in Baghdad on December 14. The journalist’s brother yesterday said one of his arms and several ribs were broken and he sustained eye and leg injuries when Iraqi security officers leapt on him. “We call on the Iraqi authorities to ensure that the rights of this prisoner are respected”, a spokesperson for the Centre said. “Although he was not arrested because of his opinions, we cannot remain silent in the face of the ill-treatment inflicted on him by the Iraqi security forces. It is vital that he should be given access to medical care, be allowed to see his lawyers and be given a fair trial.” Zaidi, who works for the Al Baghdadia television station, is being held at national security headquarters in Baghdad. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=December2008&file=Local_News200812176516.xml

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar