German student charged for throwing shoe at Chinese premier

LONDON (Reuters) - A 27-year-old German student appeared in court on Tuesday accused of throwing a shoe at Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao when he gave a speech at Cambridge University.

Martin Jahnke, a researcher at the university, appeared before Cambridge Magistrates' Court and denied committing a public order offence during Wen's visit to the university on February 2.

The case was adjourned until March 10 and Jahnke was released on unconditional bail, the Press Association reported.

The shoe missed Wen as he gave a speech on the last day of his visit to Britain, landing about a metre away from him.

The protester, who was held by university security guards, blew a whistle and then shouted: "How can the university prostitute itself with this dictator? How can you listen to the lies he is telling? Stand up and protest."

Wen hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak.

The protest followed the hurling of shoes by an Iraqi journalist at former U.S. President George W. Bush on his farewell visit to Iraq in December.

China initially expressed strong displeasure over the shoe-throwing incident, calling it "despicable conduct," but Wen later urged leniency for the thrower.

(Reporting by Stefano Ambrogi; editing by Nick Vinocur)