Zaidi sues Iraq security guards for assault

Iraqi journalist Montazer Al Zaidi has filed a complaint against security guards whom he accuses of beating him and assaulting him after the arrest. Diyaa Al Saadi, head of the lawyers syndicate and Al Zaidi’s Defense Chief said the security guards responsible are recruits working for the security directorate of the governmental media center.

"There are bruises on his body. He has lost a tooth in his upper jaw, and his left eye is bloodshot," the lawyer said. He added that these injuries were backed up by medical checks. However, his health condition is stable now and he is recovering.

Al Saadi announced that Montazer affirmed that he will not apologize for US President Georges W Bush. Al Zaidi paid tribute to all people, human rights organizations and media in Iraq and the world supporting his stand in rejecting occupation. According to his lawyer, investigations are done while the date of court will be set within the few coming days.

Meanwhile, Montazer’s brother Dergham Al Zaidi said his brother was hospitalized for fractures in the hand and rips as he was beaten by security guards. He noted that his brother’s act only targets President BushPresident Bush as it was him responsible for the occupation of Iraq that has inflicted serious consequences on the country depriving Iraqis from their right to live safely, he uttered.

For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki said he favors leaving the case to the course of justice even if it leads to his release. In a meeting with Iraqi media figures, Al Maliki affirmed that journalists should not stop expressing their views frankly and freely as long as it does not contradict with professional ethics. He noted that the show-throwing incident does not harm the Iraqi media reputation as he considered that Iraq’s Government is proud that no reporter has been arrested on account of his work in the country and is also proud of the freedom now available in the media realm in comparison with the time of dictatorship.

Source: www.alsumaria.tv