Iraqi shoe thrower gets hero’s welcome in Geneva
This was not Baghdad or Damascus or Beirut. This was Geneva, where Muntadhar al-Zeidi was given a hero’s welcome Monday far warmer than the subdued reception in his own homeland.
“I am one of the victims of the occupation,” al-Zeidi said at a press conference alongside two local politicians, repeating his allegations that he was severely tortured, including with electric shocks, during his nine months of Iraqi detention.
His claims were often inexact, and it was unclear if the confusion was a result of faulty interpreting.
He said he was tortured for “three months,” and then later he said the mistreatment was over “three days.”
He pledged to decline all gifts from wealthy Arabs until he sets up a foundation to support suffering Iraqis and said he was visiting Switzerland and other countries with financial support from friends.
He condemned the United States, saying it played a role in 1 million deaths and forcing 5 million people to flee. He made no mention of the violence among Iraqi groups since