BAGHDAD: A lawyer for the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush says a judge has signed the necessary papers for his release, which he expects to come at any moment.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi was to have been freed Monday, but that was held up because of delays processing paperwork.

Attorney Karim al-Shujairi said Tuesday that all the necessary papers have been signed, clearing the way for his release after nine months.

About 20 members of his family gathered outside the prison in anticipation.

Al-Zeidi, a little-known reporter for a small Iraqi TV station, gained instant hero status in the Arab world last December when he hurled his shoes at Bush as he stood next to Iraq's prime minister at a Baghdad news conference.