The journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush was handed over to the Iraqi judiciary, an Iraqi official said Tuesday, a move that signals the start of criminal proceedings.
There were conflicting reports about the physical condition of Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who gained folk hero status when he hurled both his shoes at Bush during a news conference Sunday in Baghdad.
His employer, Al-Baghdadia television, reported that al-Zeidi had been "seriously injured" - presumably beaten by guards - and called on the government to allow lawyers and the Iraqi Red Crescent to visit him.
