BAGHDAD , Iraq ( CNN ) -- The trial of an Iraqi journalist charged with throwing his shoes at U.S. President George Bush has been postponed , Iraq 's Council of Ministers and one of the journalist 's lawyers said Tuesday . Amman protesters support Muntazer al-Zaidi , the Iraqi journalist held for throwing his shoes at President Bush . Muntadhir Al-Zaidi was due to go on trial Wednesday , but the Criminal Court postponed it pending an appeal filed by his lawyers with the Federal Court of Appeal , a spokesman for the Supreme Judicial Council , Abdul Sattar Bayrakdar , said . Dhiya al-Saadi , who leads Al-Zaidi 's 25-member legal team , confirmed the postponement . Al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at Bush two weeks ago during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad . Neither shoe hit the president , and others in the room quickly knocked Al-Zaidi to the ground before security officials arrested him . Many Iraqis hail Al-Zaidi , who faces a prison term if convicted , as a hero . More than 1,000 lawyers have volunteered to defend him , al-Saadi said . The lawyers ' appeal asked the Federal Court to change Al-Zaidi 's case from assaulting Bush to insulting him . If Al-Zaidi is convicted of the former , he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison , al-Saadi said . The lawyers are trying to persuade the appeals court that Al-Zaidi did not want to harm Bush by throwing the shoes , but simply wanted to insult him . By tradition , throwing a shoe is the most insulting act in the Arab world . Al-Saadi said he met with his client several days ago but was having difficulty meeting with him again . He did not give the reason he was not allowed to see Al-Zaidi but said many lawyers have trouble meeting with detainees in Iraqi or U.S. custody . It will take at least two weeks for the court to set a new date for Al-Zaidi 's trial , legal expert Tariz Harab said . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .
Trial of Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at U.S. President Bush delayed . Muntadhir Al-Zaidi faces jail if convicted ; trial was due to start Wednesday . Many Iraqis hail the shoe thrower has a hero ; mass protests followed his arrest . At least two weeks before new trial date set , legal experts say .