Karzai In 'Anti-Graft' Speech Defends Convicted Mayor

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Hamid Karzai used a keynote anti-corruption speech on Tuesday to defend the most senior of his officials to be convicted of graft in years, a move that could anger Western backers who demand more accountability.

Karzai spoke at length about the bribes ordinary Afghans are forced to pay, and rebuked officials who "after one or two years work for the government, get rich and buy houses in Dubai".

However, he also cast doubt on the biggest anti-corruption conviction his prosecutors have achieved in years.


"One very serious caution I want to say. The mayor of Kabul has been sentenced to four years jail. I know the mayor. He is a clean person. I know him," Karzai said.

He said Sayebi had been targeted by enemies for refusing to grant them government land, and gestured to his chief justice and attorney general demanding they look into the case, although he also said Sayebi should still go to jail if guilty.


http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/15/world/international-uk-afghanistan.html?pagewanted=print

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1. Once your friend is tried and convicted

That's a poor time to begin asserting his innocence, especially if you're railing against corruption and that's what he got nailed for. Unless, of course, Karzai is very worried about his political adversaries' corruption, but a bit blind to that of his allies. That would go hand in glove with the political philosophy of the Republicans who installed him in the first place.

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2. he's probably worried the caged bird will sing

. . . and implicate him in some criminality.