Iraqi shoe-thrower trial to begin

The trial of Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi man who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush, will start on December 31.

The trial of Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi man who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush, will start on December 31, the judge investigating his case told AFP on Monday.

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"The investigation phase is over and the case has been transferred to the Central Criminal Court," investigating judge Dhiya al-Kenani said. "The trial will start on Wednesday, December 31."

The journalist stands accused of "aggression against a foreign head of state during an official visit," an offence that carries a prison term of between five and 15 years under Iraqi law.

But the court could convict him of the lesser charge of an "attempted aggression" which carries a prison term of one to five years.