London, February 9 : Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, 30, who threw his shoes at former U. S. President George W. Bush, faces trial next week for assaulting a foreign leader.

Court spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar has revealed that an appellate court has refused to reduce the charge levelled against al-Zeidi, who has been in custody since the December 14 outburst at Bush''s joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Al-Zeidi was to be tried in December, but defence lawyers could manage to get it delayed by seeking to reduce the assault charges to simply insulting Bush.

The court spokesman says that the appellate court has finally turned down al-Zeidi's request, and ordered him to face trial on February 19 on the original charge.

He, however, did not reveal as to when the appellate court's decision came.

When asked to comment as to what sentence al-Zeidi might get if convicted, Bayrkdar said that it would be up to the court.

The defence has revealed the assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. (ANI)