Journalist who threw shoes at George W Bush runs for office in Iraqi elections

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The Iraqi journalist who earned 15 minutes of fame internationally for throwing his shoes at former US President George W Bush a decade ago is running for office in Iraq’s elections later this month.

Muntadhar al Zaidi, 39, caused a diplomatic incident which earned him fame worldwide in December 2008 after he threw his shoes at President Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in protest at the US invasion of the country.

The incident is now a major part of his platform running as a member of parliament in Iraq’s upcoming 12 May elections.

“As you know me from a long time ago, I will be supporting the oppressed people and be against oppressors,” he told supporters in a video posted to social media.

The infamous video with Mr Bush is also posted to his Facebook campaign page.

In the clip, Mr Bush, making his last visit to the country as president, ducked and avoided Mr al Zaidi’s first shoe.

The former al Baghdadia TV journalist managed to throw the second - which also missed the president - before he was wrestled to the ground by security services. He shouted “You killed the Iraqis!” before he was removed from the room.

Mr al Zaidi called throwing his shoes, a traditional insult in parts of the Arab world, a “farewell kiss” to a “dog”.

He was initially sentenced to three years in prison for his actions, but served nine months after a conditional discharge was granted.

After his release he spent years living abroad in Beirut, Lebanon, and returned home to run in Iraq’s elections two months ago.

“By running for elections I pledge to ensure that America’s mistakes are amended – their mistakes created a corrupt sectarian government,” Mr Al Zaidi told Abu Dhabi’s The National.