The trial of shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, charged with assaulting a foreign head of state visiting Iraq, begins Dec. 31. Abdul Satar Birqadr, spokesman for Iraq's High Judicial Council, said a three-judge panel would hear the case:
The case is not complicated, and I expect it won't take a great deal of time to reach a ruling.
U.S.-backed Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has condemned al-Zaidi's actions, but reportedly he will not want to alienate al-Zaidi's supporters: Provincial elections are next month. The prime minister met with Iraqi journalists Sunday, praising the media and pledging justice would run its course -- even if that meant al-Zaidi went free. Iraqi authorities will give the media full access to the trial, due in part to the worldwide interest and sensitivity of the case.
Al-Zaidi's brother said the reporter would toss footwear again if he had the chance. Reuters reports: