Muntazer Al Zaïdi unleashed various reactions after he threw his shoe at George Bush. What we may not realize is that Muntazer is also a respectable and brave journalist, who works against the suffering of Iraqi civilians. He was the guest of the Global Conférence of Investigative Journalism.
Why did you flash your shoe to ex-president George Bush?
I wanted to drive the international attention to the crisis situation in my country, Iraq.
Would you do it again?
Yes!
What do you do today?
I swap between Lebanon, Iraq and Geneva and along with a friend, I’ve founded an humanitarian organization to help war victims in my country. My aim is to help as many people as I can, especially woman and children who are victims of the war in Iraq. However the foundation lacks founds, therefore we are rising money for fulfilling our mission.
How long where you in prison for?
I was kept in a solitary cell for three months and other six month in a group cell. During this time, I suffered several torture methods, which still affect my health today.
Would you like to work again in Iraq as a journalist?
I worked six years as a journalist in Iraq. The situation today is instable, therefore I will wait some time before going back. At least until the current government shifts.
What is your opinion on the foreign journalists covering the war in Iraq?
I’m very happy for the work my colleagues are doing in Iraq, but the crimes from the American occupation should be investigated more in depth. I admire the courage of the war journalists, exposing their lives in a dangerous territory.
Recently, there was a video released, showing two Apache helicopters firing people in New Baghdad. What is your opinion on this?
I could not sleep for three days. This is not new for me. The video shows only the top of the iceberg, there are many crimes happening every day which are kept secret. What really hurt me is how soldiers were enjoying killing innocents, among them children. They were shooting at them, calling them even bastards.