Karzai's Brother Threatened Me: US Reporter

Questions on alleged involvement in Afghan drug trade enrage him
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 11, 2009 1:04 PM CDT
Karzai's Brother Threatened Me: US Reporter
Ahmed Wali Karzai, brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaks during a press conference in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2008.   (AP Photo)

It turns out Ahmed Wali Karzai is a bit touchy about his alleged ties to Afghanistan’s drug trade. When McClatchy reporter Tom Lasseter tried to interview the president’s brother about the allegations, he said they were part of a political plot against his brother. But when Lasseter began asking about specific people who had accused Karzai, things got ugly fast.

“It seems like someone sent you to write these things,” he said with a scowl. “You should leave right now.” Lasseter didn’t wait to be told twice, he writes. He held out his hand to shake Karzai’s. Karzai took it, and used it to push Lasseter out of the room, shouting, “Get the (expletive) out before I kick your (expletive).” A spooked Lasseter took the next plane back to Kabul. (More Afghanistan stories.)

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