Update on Muntazar al-Zaidi: I Will Not Apologise

Al Jazeera has the only significant update this morning, reporting on a meeting between Muntazar al-Zaidi and his lawyer, Dhiya'a al-Sa'adi. Al-Sa'adi, clarifying the alleged letter sent by al-Zaidi to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, makes clear that al-Zaidi has no wish to apologise to George Bush:

Muntazer al-Zaidi considers what he did when he threw his shoes at President Bush as exercising his freedom of expression, in opposing and rejecting the occupation, which has brought misery to Iraq.

Al-Sa'adi continued:

His actions were solely targeted at President Bush to tell him that he rejects the occupation and all that it stands for in Iraq, in particular, in light of the inhumane way that Iraqi prisoners have been treated by the American forces.

Al-Sa'adi also confirmed the reports from al-Zaidi's brothers that the journalist had been badly beaten:

There are visible signs of torture on his body, as a result of being beaten by metal instruments.

Medical reports have shown that the beating he was subjected to has led to him losing one of his teeth as well as injuries to his jaw and ears.

He has internal bleeding in his left eye, as well as bruises over his face and stomach. Almost none of his body was spared.