Karzai’s brother in drug claims

AFGHAN president Hamid Karzai’s brother denied that he has ever been involved in the heroin trade, and accused US officials of fabricating allegations to harm the president.

Ahmed Wali Karzai said no one has ever been able to prove he is involved in drugs.

The issue was revived over the weekend after The New York Times reported that two unnamed US officials said the White House believes Wali Karzai is involved in heroin trafficking.

Wali Karzai said US officials are trying to put political pressure on President Karzai for two reasons: to deflect attention from civilian casualties caused by US military actions and force the president’s government to release a prisoner the US wants to talk to.

“Whenever there is a problem between the Afghan president and the international community, I have been used as a punching bag,” said Wali Karzai, who called a news conference in Kandahar yesterday to address the claims.

“I challenge everyone in the international community and in Afghanistan that they are welcome to take me to court...

“If they can prove [allegations], I am ready to serve any kind of justice,” Wali Karzai said.

Wali Karzai is chairman of the provincial council in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.