Shoe monument removed from Iraqi orphanage

BEIJING, Jan.31 (Chinese medianet) -- The giant

monument of a shoe in honor of the journalist who threw his footwear at former

U.S. President George W. Bush was removed one day after it was erected, media

reported Saturday.

The huge bronze-colored fiberglass sculpture was

erected at an orphanage complex in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit on

Thursday.

A statue built for Iraqi journalist

Muntazer al-Zaidi, who hurled his shoes at former U.S. president George

Bush, is seen in Tikrit, 150 km (95 miles) Baghdad, Jan. 27, 2009.

(Chinese media Photo)
Photo Gallery

The head of the Childhood organization, which the

orphanage belongs to, said that the Provincial Joint Coordination Center told

her to take the structure down immediately.

"I did take the shoe down immediately and destroyed it; and I did not ask why," said Shahah Daham, the head of the charity organization.

"We will not allow anyone

to use the government facilities and buildings for political motives," said Abdullah Jabara, Salaheddin deputy

governor.

Assisted by children at the orphanage, Iraqi sculptor

Laith al- Amiri erected a replica of one of the shoes Iraqi journalist Muntazer

al-Zaidi threw at Bush during the press conference he held with Iraqi Prime

Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad last month.

Al-Zaidi, who is in custody awaiting trial, is

regarded by many Iraqis as a hero and demonstrators last month took to the

streets across the Arab world calling for his release.

(Agencies)

Iraqi lawyer to impugn charge against

Bush shoe thrower



BAGHDAD, Dec. 22 (Chinese media) -- Lawyer

of an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush said

he would impugn the accusation against his client and demand a lesser charge.

"I, as the head of team of Zaidi's lawyers, will impugn

the transfer charge which was issued by the investigating judge," Diyaa

al-Saadi, head of the Union of Iraqi Lawyers, told Chinese media. Full story