Afghan national arrested over alleged Election Day terrorism plot

An Afghan national living in Oklahoma City was arrested and charged for allegedly plotting to carry out a terrorist attack on Election Day in support of ISIS , the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was arrested by the FBI after the agency allegedly discovered he had acquired AK-47 firearms and ammunition for the plot. In preparation for the attack, Tawhedi took steps to liquidate his family’s assets and resettle his family members to live overseas, according to a press release sent out by the Justice Department.

“As charged, the Justice Department foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people.”

Tawhedi entered the United States in the weeks following the U.S.'s chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan, with the criminal complaint saying that he "entered the United States on September 9, 2021, on a special immigrant VISA."

Tawhedi's apprehension was a joint project of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma.

“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. "I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered and stopped the plot before anyone was harmed. Terrorism is still the FBI's number one priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people."

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Tawhedi worked with a juvenile co-conspirator, prosecutors said. The two were arrested after purchasing two AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition from an FBI asset.

Tawhedi told investigators after he was arrested that the attack would have targeted large groups of people. He was charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm to be used to commit a felony or act of terrorism. Together, these charges carry up to 35 years in prison.