THE Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at George Bush was released from prison yesterday - and claimed he had been tortured.

Muntadar al-Zaidi, 30, served nine months following his conviction for assaulting a foreign leader.

He had been jailed for three years but that was cut to a year on appeal and he was then released early for good behaviour.

He claimed he suffered beatings, whippings, electric shocks and simulated drownings at the hands of officials and prison officers.

The reporter demanded an apology and said he feared he would be killed by US intelligence services.

He said: "I'm free again but my homeland is still a prison."

Zaidi's protest against Bush made him a hero for many Arabs, but some Iraqis still believe it was unforgivable.

The shoe hurling incident happened at a press conference between Bush and Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki.

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