The Spy Who Sold Nuclear Secrets to Iran | Bombs for Sale | 2

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0:17Summer 1997, Istanbul, Turkey. A taxi crosses a bridge over the Bosphorus to the eastern half of the city. Inside sits Abdul Khadir Khan, now aged 61. He is no longer a young scientist burning with the spirit of injustice. Instead, he is a multimillionaire. A fortune made from selling Pakistan's nuclear secrets to North Korea and Iran. And today, he hopes to strike his biggest deal yet. With Khan is his Sri Lankan associate, Buhari Sayyid Abu Tahir. Ten years ago, Tahir played t-boy at Khan's first deal with Iran. Now, he oversees Khan's operations from Dubai. The taxi slows as it weaves through the residential streets.

1:14Tahir taps the driver's shoulder. You can drop us here. Khan and Tahir get out and walk down a narrow winding street to a backstreet cafe. Waiting for them inside, at a small table, are two Arab men in suits. The older of the pair is Matuk Mohamed Matuk, the head of Libya's nuclear weapons program. They shake hands and order Turkish coffees. Then Matuk gets to business. We have reviewed your proposal, Dr. Khan. Are you confident you can deliver? It's ambitious, yes, but for the right price it can be done. Libya could achieve its goals within years. And this includes a full production facility?

2:02Yes, we'll build and test it somewhere off the radar, like South Africa. Then we'll dismantle it and reassemble it in Libya. Previously, Khan has supplied only blueprints, equipment or parts. But now he's offering Libya everything it needs, including a factory to produce warheads. He can tell Matuk wants it. What about the sanctions against us? Libya is under heavy international sanctions for sponsoring terrorism. It has supplied guns and money to the IRA and encouraged assassinations and attacks, including the 1988 Lockerbie airline bombing. But Khan isn't phased. I use Pakistan Air Force cargo planes to carry supplies to my hotel in Timbuktu.

2:49It will raise no eyebrows if those planes refuel in Tripoli. The Pakistan military is involved? I thought this was a private arrangement. In Pakistan, I do as I wish. Nobody dares question my need for military planes. In that case, we would welcome a fuller proposal. Khan and the two men shake hands. After the Libyans leave the cafe, Tahir's eyes are wide. They didn't even ask about the price. It will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Libya has oil. The cost is not their concern. Speed is. Only once Libya has nuclear weapons will it be able to get the sanctions lifted. Khan feels elation. Libya is his biggest customer yet, and what it wants will stretch his network to the max.

3:39But if he succeeds in giving it a complete nuclear weapons program, he will soon have even more pariah states desperate to buy his services.

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5:24I'm Raza Jafri, and this is The Spy Who, an audible original. In the last episode, scientist A.Q. Khan turned spy to steal nuclear secrets from his Dutch employer and accelerate Pakistan's nuclear program. Now he's selling his expertise to Iran and Libya and looking to get rich doing it. You're listening to The Spy Who Sold Nuclear Secrets to Iran. This is Episode 2, Bombs for Sale.

6:03May 1998, the Rasko Hills, West Pakistan. Ehu Khan gazes out of the helicopter window at the black granite mountains below with repressed excitement. This remote and inhospitable region is where he will complete his 24-year journey from spy to atomic bomb architect. A few days ago, India conducted several underground nuclear bomb tests. So today, Pakistan is responding with a test of its own. The helicopter lands. Khan walks through the swirling dust to the bunker where he and other dignitaries will watch the test. A general greets Khan with a broad smile. Big day, Dr. Khan. You must feel like a father whose child is about to be born.

6:53It's a big day for all Pakistanis. A handheld radio transmitter crackles to life. Area is clear and ready for test. The nuclear devices buried deep inside a mountain 20 miles away are now ready. The engineer assigned to start the test approaches the detonator.

7:18The engineer presses the button. Seconds tick on, and nothing happens. For a moment, Khan contemplates the dread of failure. But then, the ground begins to shake. The mountains seem to come alive. Rolling clouds of dust simmer to the surface and boil into thick yellow clouds that rise into the blue sky. Beneath the clouds, the black granite of the mountain range turns white before their eyes.

7:53As photographers rush to capture the celebrating dignitaries, Kahn thrusts his tall frame to the front, determined to ensure he is forever associated with this moment.

8:09Six months later, Casablanca, Morocco. In the lobby of an expensive hotel, an MI6 officer pretends to read a newspaper while watching the cars that pull up outside. MI6 has been tracking Khan ever since Pakistan's bomb test. They've noticed unusual travel patterns, including visits to many African and Middle Eastern nations, accompanied by an entourage of scientists and suppliers. Now they've followed him to Casablanca to see who he's meeting. The MI6 officer sees his target emerge from the taxi that's just arrived at the hotel. Friedrich Tinner, a Swiss engineer who supplies Kahn with centrifuge parts.

8:52As Tinner moves through the gilt-revolving doors and heads to reception, the MI6 officer notices his suit jacket is folded over the handle of his wheeled suitcase. The officer casually folds his newspaper and takes out a mobile phone. He pretends to make a call while pacing the lobby. Can I help you, sir? I have a room booked. Yeah, we'll need to set up a meeting for tomorrow. The reports that are coming through indicate some serious problems. Ow! Bugger! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry about that. As Tinner checks in, the MI6 officer deliberately trips over Tinner's suitcase. Tinner gives him an annoyed glance.

9:32The MI6 man picks up the suitcase and uses the opportunity to slip a tiny listening device into Tinner's jacket pocket. So, so yeah, so, um, tell Jenkins they need to submit my friend. The MI6 officer resumes his fake phone call and heads out of the hotel. Once outside, he puts his phone away and spends half an hour traversing the hot and noisy streets. He dips in and out of shops until he's sure he's not being tailed. Then, he doubles back to an apartment block near the hotel. He climbs up the steps and enters the apartment he and his team are using as their base. A collie gives him a thumbs up.

10:12He settles down to listen to the audio being transmitted by the listening device. And he has Khan talking with Tinna. Progress has stalled, but we need to frame it so the Libyans don't get cold feet. They must know this is a challenging project. What's the problem in Dubai? Tahir can't find skilled workers and he can't train people. I need someone there who knows the technology. Would a lot of your sons be interested? I appreciate it would mean them relocating. Marco wouldn't want to move, but my eldest, Boris, might. He could do with leaving Switzerland, to be honest. His marriage isn't going well and he has tax problems.

10:55Yeah, they would be excellent. Perhaps he can come up next month. The MI6 officers smell opportunity. Urs is about to join Khan's inner circle. And his personal problems make him an ideal recruitment target.

11:19Late 1999. CIA headquarters, Langley, Virginia. Jim Lawler enters a secure meeting room, notes he's the last to arrive, and closes the door gently. Lawler's a thin and wiry operations officer on the counter-proliferation team, and the team's here to discuss Khan. His boss starts the meeting. Assume we've all read the transcripts from the Brits. Looks like Khan and his network are helping Iran, North Korea and Libya develop nuclear weapons. One of the technical analysts looks angry. The transcripts are a year old. Why are we only getting them now? The decision was to watch and wait. But we've now learned that German and Swiss suppliers connected to Khan are making large shipments to Dubai.

12:10The concern is Khans dealing with Libya are moving from talk to action. The technical analyst scowls. We should have moved on him a decade ago. Lawler says nothing. But he agrees with the analyst. Politics always seems to get in the way. In the 80s, the priority was to keep Pakistan on side to counter the Soviets in Afghanistan. In the 90s, the priority was preventing nuclear technology escaping the collapsing Soviet Union. And that made Khan's activities a low priority. Now Khan's network has moved from buying to selling nuclear technology. He is also more experienced and much harder to shut down.

12:54But Lawler's boss wants to move on from naval gazing. Our task now is to understand this network inside out. This will be a joint operation with the British. And when we shut this network down, it needs to stay shut. We still don't know if Khan's operating with Islamabad's approval or if he's gone rogue. So our priority is to get someone on the inside. His boss distributes a stack of papers. On them is a photo of a man with a round face, round glasses, moustache and receding brown hairline Underneath the photo is his name, Urs Tinner Our British colleagues believe Tinner is a prime recruitment target Lawler, Scan reads the biographical details Despite his talents working with metals, Urs has struggled to hold down jobs His ex-wife has full custody of his two daughters, and his second marriage is on the rocks.

13:48He has large tax and child maintenance debts. The boss turns to Lawler. What do you think, mad dog? Everyone at Langley calls Lawler by his nickname. He secured it years ago, after getting bitten by a dog suspected to have rabies. But it stuck because of his single-mindedness, particularly when it comes to recruiting spies. Lawler nods. I agree. Urs is worth an approach.

14:19Some months later, Dubai. Sitting at the long bar of a glitzy hotel, Lawler watches Urs arrive and order a drink. The CIA's had him under surveillance for weeks, so Lawler knows that since moving to Dubai, Urs spends most evenings here alone, nursing a single drink before heading home. Lawler gets up and plonks himself next to Urs. You speak English? Uh, yeah. Lawler smiles and holds out a hand. Thank God. I've not had a proper conversation in weeks. Name's Jim. Can I buy you a drink? Uh, sure. Thank you. I'm Urs. Urs? Is that German? Can be. But I'm Swiss. Lawler waves the barman over and orders two whiskeys.

15:08I thought there'd be more Westerners in Dubai. You live here permanently? Yeah, moved here almost a year ago. You? Just a short-term contract. Lawler keeps the small talk going until Urs finishes his drink. Then he smiles pleasantly. Urs, what you're doing here in Dubai could land you some serious jail time. What are you talking about? That I could protect you. I don't know what you're talking about. No, I think you do. Your bosses, Mr. Tahir and Mr. Khan, are making and selling things they shouldn't. You're up to your neck in it, Urs. Your entire family is. Urs hurriedly gets up his barstool and grabs his suit jacket.

15:56Lawler keeps speaking. I have a deal for you, Urs. Because I think you're a smart cookie, smarter than most people think. Lola takes a sip of whiskey Watching as Urs stops and slowly turns back to face him Who are you? Right now, I'm your friend But whether I stay that way depends on what you decide tonight Why don't you sit back down? Urs obeys, his face pale What's this deal for being your friend? Lola smiles Urs is on the hook Now, to reel him in.

16:38A few weeks later, April 2000, the president's palace, Islamabad. Pakistan's new leader, General Pervez Musharraf, listens to his anti-corruption chief brief him on a secret investigation into A.Q. Khan. The scale of Khan's corruption is outrageous. He has seven properties here and in London. He's built a hotel in Timbuktu and uses military planes to fly materials and furniture out there. He has$8 million spread across bank accounts in Karachi, Lahore, Amsterdam and Dubai. All this on his government salary of$30 ,000 a year. Musharraf isn't surprised. Khan doesn't hide his extravagant lifestyle.

17:20He owns more than 100 vintage cars and has a huge security team. The wedding celebrations for his two daughters reportedly cost more than a million dollars. How is he doing it? Your predecessors gave him absolute freedom over the Khan Research Laboratory's finances. He routinely orders more materials and equipment than he needs and pockets the surplus for himself, either selling it to his suppliers or other countries with nuclear programs, including North Korea and Iran. He uses front companies to shift the money around. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. You may go. Musharraf contemplates the information.

18:00He seized power in a military coup six months ago, but his position is precarious, and Khan is both a threat and a liability. The scientist is hugely popular. His face is often painted on the sides of lorries and buses. His state-funded research laboratory operates as a private fiefdom with no oversight. He also has powerful backers within the military and government, and many journalists on his payroll. Arresting Khan could backfire badly. But ignoring him is not an option. America is threatened to withdraw economic aid if he doesn't clamp down on the rogue scientist. The consequences of losing that aid could be equally dangerous to his presidency.

18:42Musharraf must tread carefully. He presses the buzzer on his desk to call in his secretary. Yes, sir. Send a memo to all our nuclear scientists and officials. From now on, they need approval to travel outside Pakistan. The secretary nods and hurries away. Musharraf doubts Khan will comply with the order, so he's also going to get Pakistan's intelligence service, the ISI, to watch him. That way, when Khan slips up, he'll have eyes there to see it.

19:24A few months later, an Air Force base in Raul Pindi, Pakistan An ISI Special Forces team crouches inside a hangar Through his binoculars, the squad commander watches a C-130 cargo plane leaving its loading bay He signals his team to move in Stop the plane! ISI! Stop! Stop! Stop! Weapons drawn, the team rushes the plane The confused pilot stops and lowers the loading ramp. The ISI operatives swarm inside, followed by their commander. Search every crate. The ISI has a tip-off that Khan's using his plane to deliver centrifuge bars to North Korea. The squad opens the crates, checking for contraband equipment.

20:06What's inside? Medical supplies in this one, sir. Same over here. Crate after crate is opened, but they all contain medical supplies. The squad commander fumes. The intel might be wrong, but he strongly suspects that someone warned Khan about the raid. And that means someone deep inside the ISI is protecting the renegade scientist.

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21:11Several months later, October 2000, Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Raul Pindi, Pakistan. An ISI officer in a business suit loiters in front of the departures board with an overnight suitcase at his feet. His earpiece crackles into life. Target arriving. Toyota ground sedan. Security detail directly behind. Through the automatic doors, he sees two cars pull up in convoy and block the rest of the traffic. Armed guards emerge from the second car, surrounding the first while checking the area. One opens the back door of the Toyota, and Khan steps out and heads into the airport.

21:55Excitement ripples through the airport as people recognise Khan. He's dressed in a light-coloured safari suit with sunglasses and his silver hair is brushed back. One onlooker shouts out. Dr Khan, may God bless and protect you. Khan smiles and waves, but keeps moving towards the VIP security lane. The ISI officer follows and notices that instead of his usual briefcase, Khan is carrying two beige shopping bags, bearing the logo of one of Islamabad's elite tailors. It seems to be his only luggage. After security, Khan heads for an expensive private lounge. The ISI officer joins the queue, a few people behind.

22:36And do you have any identification with you, sir? The lounge clerk is immediately admonished by her manager. This is A.Q. Khan. He does not need to show you identification. I'm very sorry, sir. Please go in. No charge for the hero of Pakistan. Khan nods graciously and enters the lounge. The ISI officer follows and gets himself a cup of tea. He notices that Khan is being careful not to let go of his shopping bags. He needs to find out what's inside them. Pakistan International Airlines flight 233 to Dubai is now boarding. On hearing his flight called, Khan gathers his bags and leaves the lounge.

23:1930 minutes later, the ISI officer moves through the first-class section of the plane looking for his seat. As he passes Khan, who's already seated, he notices the shopping bags are stowed under the seat in front, instead of in the overhead lockers. There'll be no opportunity to search them on this flight.

23:41The next morning, the Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Dubai. The ISI officer sips a coffee, keeping an eye on the corner table where Khan is huddled with two Arab men in Western suits. The mysterious shopping bags rest between Khan's feet under the coffee table. But when Khan says his goodbyes, the two shopping bags remain under the coffee table. Shortly after, the two Arabs walk past with them.

24:13Four months later, January 2001, Pakistan Army Headquarters, Raul Bindi. In a large, airy room with marble floors and traditional rugs, President Musharraf stares coldly at Khan. I made it clear that all nuclear staff, including yourself, were not to travel overseas without permission. And I haven't. Don't lie to me. You flew to Dubai three months ago. You are now making arrangements to fly to Zohidon in Iran. How is it in Pakistan's interest for you to go there? It's a secret. Who are you to keep secrets from me? I am your president! It is time you retired. No. I'm the father of Pakistan's bomb.

25:00We have the bomb now. The work is done. You'll be 65 next year. You'll retire and live off the remarkably plentiful fruits of your labor. The Americans told you to do this. You are nothing more than their lapdog. This is about your lack of character as a public servant. I have an 800-page document in my office detailing your corruption. Musharraf is pleased to finally see fear flicker across Khan's face. He judges his time to calm things down. Dr. Khan, you have given a great deal to Pakistan. For this we are grateful. But you have also enriched yourself at its expense. I'm not the only one. Musharraf raises a hand to silence Khan.