BAGHDAD: A judge announced an investigation Friday into the beating of an Iraqi journalist moments after he hurled his shoes at President George W. Bush, and said investigators destroyed the shoes in their search for explosives.
The statement by Dhia al-Kinani, the investigating judge, was the first official word that Muntader al-Zaidi was hurt after his outburst at a news conference by Bush and Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. According to the judge, Zaidi suffered a bruised face and eyes.
Zaidi has been in custody since the Sunday attack and has not been seen since by relatives or a lawyer.
One of his brothers, Uday, alleged Friday that the isolation indicates he was abused.
"Until now, neither an attorney nor anyone from his family has seen him and this is clear evidence that Muntader was under intense torture," he said at a demonstration by about 20 family members just outside the Green Zone.
"The investigation process is now under way in mysterious circumstances," he added.
Zaidi was wrestled to the ground seconds after throwing his shoes, and the judge said videotape of the scuffle would be studied carefully.
The journalist "was beaten in the news conference and we will watch the tape and write an official letter asking for the names of those who assaulted him," the judge said. He said Zaidi could choose not to pursue charges related to the beating; he did not say why he decided to open an investigation.
Zaidi was not the only person who ended up with a bruised eye.
The White House press secretary, Dana Perino, suffered an eye injury when she was hit in the face with a microphone during the melee.
The State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, said Friday that the treatment of Zaidi was a matter for Iraqi authorities to deal with.
"Certainly, nobody wants anybody to be mistreated while they're in custody," he said. "I can't attest to these allegations, however."
Zaidi's case has become a rallying point among opponents of the U.S. invasion and military presence in Iraq. A Saudi reportedly offered $10 million for just one of the shoes and an Iranian cleric suggested they should become museum pieces.
Despite widespread sympathy for Zaidi among Iraqis, Kinani said the case cannot be dropped - though he noted that neither Bush nor Maliki had sought charges. Maliki was standing next to Bush at the time of the attack.
"This case was filed because of an article in the law concerning the protection of the respect of sovereignty," he said.
The journalist is expected to face charges of insulting a foreign leader. A conviction could bring a sentence of two years in prison.
The judge also confirmed that Zaidi had written a letter of apology to Maliki. A spokesman for Maliki had said Thursday that Zaidi asked for a pardon in the letter. But Zaidi's brother Dhargham told The AP that he suspected the letter was a fake.
The prime minister can recommend to Iraq's president that a pardon be granted, but the judge said such a pardon can be issued only after a conviction. There have been no indications whether or not Maliki is likely to recommend a pardon.
The judge said the Zaidi investigation would be completed and sent to the criminal court on Sunday, after which a court date would be set within seven to 10 days.
Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated again Friday for Zaidi's release.
At Friday prayers in Baghdad's Shiite stronghold Sadr City, a cleric, Mohanad al-Moussawi told, worshipers that "al-Zaidi's life must be protected and he must be immediately, immediately, immediately released."
In London, about 50 protesters shook their shoes at the U.S. Embassy in a show of support for Zaidi.
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