Iraqi 'shoe thrower' journalist sentenced

The Iraqi journalist accused of throwing his shoes at former US President George W Bush has been sentenced to three years in prison.



Shoe hurling is a grave insult in Arab culture.



Muntadar al-Zaidi is said to have told the court that his actions were natural, just like any Iraqi against a leader whose forces had occupied his country.



Defence lawyers have described the sentence as harsh and say they might consider an appeal.



The lawyers are also insisting that the sentence is not in harmony with the law because al Zaidi had not meant to cause injury, but rather to express contempt for Mr Bush.



There has been no statement about the verdict from the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.