The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush during a news conference is due to reach the end of his prison sentence.

在新闻发布会上向美国前总统扔鞋的伊拉克记者将要刑满释放。

Muntadar al-Zaidi, whose act propelled（推进） him to the status of hero in the Arab world, is expected to be released from prison shortly.

Mr Zaidi, who called Mr Bush "a dog", was convicted of assault in March.

His family are reported to be preparing a hero's welcome if he leaves prison, as expected, on Monday.

Mr Zaidi's three-year prison sentence was reduced to one because he had a clean record. He is due to be released three months early for good behaviour.

His family is reportedly planning to meet him at the gates of the Baghdad detention¹ centre and then hold a party for him.

Hero's welcome

His brother says that Mr Zaidi was beaten while in prison, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs²（排骨） and internal bleeding. Those allegations have been rejected by the Iraqi military.

The previously³ little-known journalist from the private Cairo-based al-Baghdadia TV has become a hero to many, not just in Iraq but across the Arab world, for what some saw as a fitting send-off for a deeply unpopular US president.

As he flung the shoes, Mr Zaidi shouted: "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog. This is from the widows, the orphans⁴ and those who were killed in Iraq."

His action was celebrated⁵ in internet games and on T-shirts and some have offered him their daughters in marriage.

Mr Zaidi, who lives in Baghdad, has worked for al-Baghdadia for three years.

A senior official at the channel said that his salary had continued to be paid during his prison term and that a home had been bought for him in the capital.

During his work as a reporter, Mr Zaidi was abducted⁶（诱拐，骗走） by insurgents⁷（起义者，造反者） and held twice for questioning by US forces in Iraq.