Demonstrators in Sadr City urge journalist’s release

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Residents of Baghdad’s eastern Sadr City on Monday took to the streets calling for the release of Muntadher al-Zaydi, a correspondent for al-Boghdadiya satellite channel who threw a pair of shoes at U.S. President George Bush during a joint press conference with the Iraqi premier. The demonstrators headed towards the headquarters of the Iraqi press syndicate in Baghdad’s northern area of al-Waziriya. President Bush quickly ducked when a pair of shoes was hurled at him Sunday. Zaydi, a young man of no more than 30 years old, has worked for al-Boghdadiya since its establishment in the wake of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. He had been kidnapped two years ago by unidentified gunmen while stepping out of his home in al-Bab al-Sharqi area, central Baghdad. A week later he was found lying on the ground near auto selling stores in al-Nahda square, Baghdad, at a late night hour. Zaydi is considered one of the journalists outspokenly criticizing the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq. He had written several reports opposing the U.S. military presence in the country. To Iraqis, the incident represented a major insult to the U.S. president. SS (P)/SR 1