19 Facts About Muntadhar al-Zaidi

1.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi is an Iraqi broadcast journalist who served as a correspondent for Iraqi-owned, Egyptian-based Al-Baghdadia TV.

2.

On 16 November 2007, Muntadhar al-Zaidi was kidnapped by unknown assailants in Baghdad.

3.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was previously twice arrested by the United States Armed Forces.

4.

On 20 February 2009, Muntadhar al-Zaidi received a 90-minute trial by the Central Criminal Court of Iraq.

5.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was released on 15 September 2009 for good behavior after spending nine months in jail.

6.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was raised in Sadr City, a suburb of Baghdad, Iraq.

7.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi began working as a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia TV in 2005.

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8.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi first became known as a victim of a kidnapping by unknown assailants in November 2007.

9.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi is of the Shia Muslim faith and is of Sayyid descent.

10.

Friends said Muntadhar al-Zaidi had been "emotionally influenced" by the destruction he'd seen in his coverage of the US bombing of Sadr City.

11.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was first on the scene in Sadr City and wherever people suffered violence or severe deprivation.

12.

On Friday morning, 16 November 2007, Muntadhar al-Zaidi was kidnapped on his way to work in central Baghdad.

13.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was held captive with little food and drink and questioned about his work as a journalist.

14.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees mentioned Muntadhar al-Zaidi's kidnapping in a December 2007 report that listed violent incidents in the media, in particular, incidents targeting journalists in Baghdad.

15.

In January 2008, Muntadhar al-Zaidi was detained overnight by US troops as they searched his residence.

16.

An Iraqi lawyer stated that Muntadhar al-Zaidi was likely to get at least two years in prison if he was prosecuted.

17.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi declined to be represented by Khalil al-Duleimi, who defended the late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein before his execution, and said he wanted to be represented by an Iraqi lawyer.

18.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was released from jail on 15 September 2009, after serving nine months in prison.

19.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi vowed to release the names of those who he said tortured him, including senior officials in the government and the army.