Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist to seek asylum in Switzerland

Geneva, Jan.19 (ANI): The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during the latter's surprise visit to Baghdad last month,will seek political asylum in Switzerland, his Geneva-based lawyer has said.

According to a foreign news agency report, lawyer Mauro Poggia says Muntadhar al-Zeidi's life is in danger in Iraq.

Al-Zeidi is currently in an Iraqi jail awaiting trial on charges of assaulting a foreign leader for his December 14 shoe-throwing incident at a news conference in Baghdad.

Al-Zeidi's family is reported to have contacted Poggia earlier this month and requested him to represent him in a court of law.

Al-Zeidi would have to go to the Swiss Embassy in Baghdad once he is released to formally file his asylum request,Poggia said. (ANI)