FBI seizes retired US general’s electronic data over alleged illegal Qatar lobbying

Gen John Allen gave a false version of events' about his work for Gulf state in 2020 interview, court documents allege

The FBI has seized electronic data from John Allen, a retired four-star marine general and former leader of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan who authorities say made false statements and withheld incriminating" documents about his role in an illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of Qatar.

Allen is now president of the Brookings Institution, a prominent Washington thinktank, which said on Wednesday it had placed him on administrative leave.