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Swiss lawyer says shoe-thrower seeks asylum; kin says no

GENEVA, Switzerland - A dispute broke out yesterday over plans for the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush. A Swiss lawyer said the Iraqi was planning to seek political asylum in Switzerland, but one of his brothers vehemently denied that report.

    by By Frank Jordans, Associated Press, Inquirer
    Published 

GENEVA, Switzerland - A dispute broke out yesterday over plans for the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush. A Swiss lawyer said the Iraqi was planning to seek political asylum in Switzerland, but one of his brothers vehemently denied that report.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi's life is in danger if he stays in Iraq, Geneva-based lawyer Mauro Poggia told the Associated Press.

Zeidi, 30, has been detained in an Iraqi jail awaiting trial since he was seized by guards after his Dec. 14 outburst at a joint news conference in Baghdad by Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Zeidi's gesture of anger at Bush turned the employee of a minor TV station into a national hero to many Iraqis fed up with America's six-year presence in the country. But concern has been raised about his safety after allegations that he had been severely beaten and tortured in detention.

"He is in danger over there," Poggia said yesterday. "He's also in danger in other Muslim countries because people who support his action could try to make him a martyr."

The lawyer said he was given power of attorney by a member of Zeidi's family who contacted him through the international Red Cross.

But Zeidi's brother Dhargham, denied Poggia's contention. "Such claims are baseless, and Muntadhar al-Zeidi has no intention to leave the country and we will sue the Swiss lawyer," the brother said.

The defense team representing Zeidi said it also had no knowledge of an appeal.

Zeidi had been due to face a trial last month on a charge of assaulting a foreign leader, but the court date was postponed after his defense filed a motion to reduce the charges to simply insulting Bush.

To claim asylum, Zeidi would have to make his request in Switzerland or at the Swiss Embassy in Baghdad. Poggia said he could not do that yet because he had not gone to trial.

The Swiss Refugee Council said Zeidi's chances of gaining refuge were slim.

    By Frank Jordans, Associated Press, Inquirer