Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Sobbing Karzai Climbs Into Brother's Grave

Afghan president calls on Taliban to end violence

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 13, 2011 9:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – At Ahmad Wali Karzai's funeral today, Afghan President Hamid Karzai pushed through his security detail to climb into his half-brother's grave. He remained there, sobbing alongside the coffin, for at least a minute as his wails overwhelmed other cries. He was ultimately lifted out by two men after relatives and guards couldn't coax him back up, the AP reports. Thousands of mourners attended the funeral, at which Karzai appealed for an end to the violence in his country.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assassination, which was carried out by a close confidant who had worked beside Wali Karzai for seven years, and called Wali Karzai a Western "puppet." But Afghan officials say it's not clear whether the Taliban or an internal dispute is truly responsible. The assassination leaves President Karzai without a powerful ally in the troubled Kandahar province, where the Taliban originated. Click for more on what it means.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai attends the burial of his half brother in his family's ancestral village of Karz, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 13, 2011. WARNING: Disturbing images follow.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai attends the burial of his half brother in his family's ancestral village of Karz, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 13, 2011. WARNING: Disturbing images follow.   (AP Photo)
A picture taken at the morgue of Kandahar's hospital on July 12, 2011 shows the body of Sardar Mohammad, the killer of Ahmed Wali Karzai.
A picture taken at the morgue of Kandahar's hospital on July 12, 2011 shows the body of Sardar Mohammad, the killer of Ahmed Wali Karzai.   (Getty Images)
An Afghan man tries to cover the the lifeless body of the assassin who killed Ahmed Wali Karzai, at the morgue at the hospital in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2011.
An Afghan man tries to cover the the lifeless body of the assassin who killed Ahmed Wali Karzai, at the morgue at the hospital in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2011.   (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan)
Mourners pray over the grave of Ahmad Wali Karzai, brother of Afghan president Hamid Karzai, during a funeral in Dand district of Kandahar province on July 13, 2011.
Mourners pray over the grave of Ahmad Wali Karzai, brother of Afghan president Hamid Karzai, during a funeral in Dand district of Kandahar province on July 13, 2011.   (Getty Images)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai attends the burial of half-brother Ahmed Wali Karzai in his family's ancestral village of Karz, in Kandahar province, Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai attends the burial of half-brother Ahmed Wali Karzai in his family's ancestral village of Karz, in Kandahar province, Wednesday, July 13, 2011.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

My message for (the Taliban) is that my countrymen, my brothers, should stop killing their own people. It is easy to kill and everyone can do it, but the real man is the one who can save people's lives. - Hamid Karzai

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
9%
4%
71%
6%
5%
6%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
biggestnate
Jul 14, 2011 8:46 AM CDT
This is the saddest article I've read in a long time. Just another headline to us, yet this demonstrates the real human tragedy that is the result of all greedy wars. Whether or not he or his brother is/was part of a corrupt government, let's not forget to mourn.
MDD
Jul 14, 2011 5:04 AM CDT
Should have left him in there with his brother...
Just_Dave
Jul 13, 2011 3:40 PM CDT
Aren't we winning ths war now that Obama is in office?

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • Hamid Karzai • Ahmed Wali Karzai • Ahmad Wali Karzai

More Newser Stories

Suicide Bomber Kills 4 at Karzai Memorial

Hundreds of Afghan Women Jailed for 'Moral Crimes'

Taliban Breaks Off Peace Talks With US

Afghans Vow Revenge for Soldier's Killing Spree

US, Afghanistan, Taliban: Secret Talks Under Way
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment