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

(Newser) – 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.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Ahmed Wali Karzai, brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaks during a press conference in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2008. (AP Photo)

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai sits during a ceremony to pledge support for a regional electricity transmission project, in Washington on Friday. (AP Photo)

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At the end of the day, there's no protection when the most powerful official in the region orders you to leave. - Tom Lasseter

If I learned anything from three years of reporting in Iraq and then trips to Afghanistan, it's that when things turn bad, you should cling to any remaining shred of hospitality. - Tom Lasseter

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Karzai's Brother Threatened Me: US Reporter