Baghdad (Iraq), Dec 23 : Iraqi Minister of Justice and Education Safa Al deen Al Safi has denied the reports that Iraqi journalist Muntader al-Zaidi who threw shoes George Bush during a press conference in Baghdad has not been tortured.

Talking to mediapersons at the sideline of a meeting between him and the Indian spiritual Guru Sri Ravishankar, the minister said that the journalist was hale and healthy and has not been tortured.

He said he would be tried by a judge under the civilian law of the country.

"Zaidi has not been formally charged, but he faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the crime of aggression against a foreign leader during an official visit," he added. (ANI)