Bush shoe thrower 'appears beaten'

The investigating judge in the case of the Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at President George Bush said today that the man showed signs of being beaten.

Judge Dhia al-Kinani said the journalist had bruises on his face and around his eyes.

The journalist, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, was wrestled to the ground after throwing the shoes during a Sunday news conference held by Mr Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.

Al-Zeidi remains in custody and is expected to eventually face charges of insulting a foreign leader.

The judge said the journalist had not raised a formal charge relating to his injuries. He also confirmed that al-Zeidi had written a letter to al-Maliki requesting a pardon.