Atrios writes about the Israeli businessman from South Africa, Asher Karni, charged in the U.S. with supplying Pakistan with nuclear weapons detonators and he wonders why it hasn't gotten more coverage. He'll be glad to know there are now 303 articles on the case over at Google News.

We remember it because Karni was arrested at Denver International Airport. A U.S. Magistrate in Denver ordered him released on $75k bail. The Government asked for a reconsideration. The review hearing was held by videotaped conference with Karni appearing with his lawyers in Denver and the Government and Judge in DC where he was charged.

Karni has been a prominent member of the an Orthodox Hebrew Congregation in South Africa for the past 18 years and is an assistant to its rabbi. He is a businessman with tremendous support in the Capetown community.

The case sounds like a set-up to us. He had come to Colorado for a ski vacation with his wife and daughter. Good for the judge for granting bail, although the conditions are extremely stringent--he has to live with a rabbi in Maryland and is on house arrest.

Clearly, Mr. Karni, a devout practicing Jewish man, is not a terrorist member of al-Qaeda.

Here's the latest on who tipped off the authorities.

Update: The terms of the stringent bond for the Israeli citizen Asher Karni are here.

[comments now closed]