The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George Bush is seeking political asylum in Switzerland, the man's attorney said.

Muntadhir al-Zaidi, 29, a correspondent for the al-Baghdadiya TV channel, shouted insults and threw his shoes -- considered an insult in Iraq -- at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in mid-December. Bush ducked to avoid the tossed footwear.

Mauro Poggia, al-Zaidi's attorney, said in the Swiss Tribune de Geneve newspaper that the journalist's family contacted him and he sent a letter to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, asking Switzerland to grant the reporter political asylum, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Monday.

Al-Zaidi "can no longer work as a journalist without suffering horrible pressure," Poggia said. "His life could become hell in his own country."

The Iraqi journalist was subdued and escorted from the news conference and is being held in a jail in Baghdad. He was charged with "aggressive actions toward a foreign official," which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

But the court decided to postpone the trial pending an appeal to a higher tribunal.

Even if many Iraqis supported his action, Zaidi was "at the mercy of all manner of extremists," the lawyer said, adding: "He can no longer work as a journalist without suffering terrible pressure... his life can become hell in his country."

Once settled in Geneva, the bachelor without children could "very well work as a journalist at the United Nations" which has its European headquarters here, Mr Poggia said.

After throwing his shoes at Mr Bush, Zaidi also insulted the American president, shouting: "It is the farewell kiss, you dog."

Zaidi missed Mr Bush, who ducked the throws, but Iraqi and US security officials grappled with him and hustled him off while the US president tried to joke his way out of the incident.

The journalist's action was hailed across the Arab world as an ideal parting gift to a president widely unpopular in the region

VIDEO OF “SHOE ATTACK”