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UK: German Shoe Thrower Released on Bail

DW staff (th)February 10, 2009

A German man who threw a shoe at Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has been released on bail, according to British authorities.

https://p.dw.com/p/GqsF
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Wen urged leniency for the German who threw a shoe at himImage: AP

Cambridge University researcher Martin Jahnke was arrested last week after he threw a shoe at Wen during a talk that was part of the leader's three-day visit to Britain.

Jahnke had a brief court hearing Tuesday, Feb. 10, on charges stemming from the incident. Jahnke said he did not violate public order. The court is expected to take up the issue again in early March.

Jahnke allegedly threw the shoe at Wen and shouted "dictator," as Wen gave a speech on the global economy. Witnesses said the shoe landed about one meter away from Wen.

On his return to China, Wen posted a notice on a government Web site calling for officials to deal leniently with Jahnke. Wen said he hopes Jahnke would learn from the incident.

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