The FBI has arrested an Afghan man who officials say was inspired by the militant group Islamic State and plotted an Election Day attack that targeted large crowds in the US.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, told investigators after his arrest Monday that he planned his attack to coincide with Election Day next month.
He and a juvenile co-conspirator were expected to die as martyrs, according to charging documents.
Tawhedi, who entered the US in 2021 on a special immigrant visa, had taken steps in recent weeks to further his attack plans, including ordering AK-47 rifles.
He liquidated his family’s assets and bought some tickets for his wife and child to travel back to Afghanistan.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, told investigators after his arrest Monday that he planned his attack to coincide with Election Day next month
Tawhedi, who entered the US in 2021 on a special immigrant visa, had taken steps in recent weeks to further his attack plans, including ordering AK-47 rifles.
“Terrorism continues to be the FBI’s top priority, and we will use every resource available to protect the American people,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.
After he was arrested, the Justice Department said, Tawhedi told investigators that he had planned an attack before Election Day that would target large gatherings of people.
Tawhedi was charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group, which the U.S. designates a foreign terrorist organization.
He faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for providing support to ISIS and fifteen years for obtaining a firearm to commit a felony or federal crime of terrorism.
It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
“As charged, the Department of Justice foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and conduct a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
“We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to American national security, and we will identify, investigate and prosecute those individuals who attempt to terrorize the American people,” he continued.
“I am deeply grateful to the officials of the FBI, the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”
According to charging documents, Tahwedi and a juvenile co-conspirator are expected to die as martyrs
Tawhedi was charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group, which the U.S. designates a foreign terrorist organization.
According to the criminal complaint, Tawhedi entered the United States on September 9, 2021, on a special immigrant visa.
It says an FBI “confidential human source” contacted Tawhedi after he recently advertised the sale of his family’s personal property on Facebook.
The FBI source said he needed a computer for a gun business he was setting up and Tawhedi expressed interest in purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, the complaint said.
On Monday, Tawhedi and the youth met with “FBI assets” at a rural location in Oklahoma and purchased two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines and 500 rounds of ammunition.
They were immediately arrested.