Bush Shoe Thrower Wants Political Asylum

The Iraqi man who threw both of his shoes at President Bush during a news conference last month is seeking political asylum in Switzerland.

Muntader al-Zaidi has remained in Iraqi custody in Baghdad since his attack, his lawyer told Tribune de Geneve. (Click here for a translation from the Swiss paper’s story, which is written in French.)

Zaidi fears for his safety while in prison on charges that he attacked a foreign head of state, his lawyer, Mauro Poggia, said. Zaidi, 29, has suffered a broken arm and broken ribs while incarcerated, according to the BBC, who spoke to his brother.

Poggia, in a letter to Swiss officials requesting asylum, said that Zaidi is “at the mercy of all kinds of extremists” even though he received support for his shoe throw from Iraqi people.

“His life could become hell in his own country,” Poggia wrote.

Poggia also suggested that Zaidi, once out of Iraq, could work as a journalist for the United Nations.