Trial of Iraqi journalist Muntadher al-Zaidi scheduled to begin on February 19, 2009

The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at former President Bush will be tried in two weeks, a spokesman for Iraq’s Higher Judicial Council judge told CNN.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi faces charges of assaulting a foreign head of state on an official visit to Iraq. The trial is scheduled to begin on February 19, the spokesman for Judge Abdul Sattar al-Beeraqdar said.

Al-Zaidi has been detained for nearly two months and his appearance in court will mark the first time he has been seen in public since his arrest.