An Afghan resident of Oklahoma was charged this week with conspiring to commit an Election Day terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State terrorist group, according to court documents released Tuesday.
Nasir Ahmad Tauhedi, 27, was charged Monday with attempting to provide material support to ISIS and obtain firearms and ammunition to carry out violent attacks in the United States on behalf of the terrorist organization. He was arrested on suspicion of. Tawhidi made his first appearance Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Suzanne Mitchell in federal court in Oklahoma City.
The two met with two confidential sources posing as business partners and an undercover FBI agent in rural Western Oklahoma to purchase a rifle, 10 rounds of ammunition, and ammunition for the planned attack. was arrested after.
Lawyers listed for Mr. Tauhedi did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday night.
According to court documents, Tauhedi said in the seized communications that he was planning an attack on Election Day, November 5. Authorities said in interviews after the arrests that they confirmed that the attack was targeted at a large gathering and that the attack was expected. He died as a martyr along with his juvenile co-conspirator, an Afghan citizen with legal permanent resident status.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Tuesday that the Department of Justice “continues to combat the continuing threat ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, identifying those who seek to terrorize the American people,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Tuesday. We will investigate and prosecute.” ”
According to court documents, Tauhedi liquidated his family’s assets, resettled them in Afghanistan, and worked to obtain an AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition.
A review of Google records showed Tauhedi had viewed and saved ISIS propaganda, according to court documents. Records also show that in July he searched for things like “how to access cameras in Washington, D.C.” and “which U.S. states have passed unauthorized gun carry laws.” they said.
In late August, Tawhidi and his co-conspirators attempted to liquidate the family’s assets, including property in Moore, Oklahoma, which was under contract and pending sale, the family’s two cars, electronic equipment and other assets, according to court documents. It is said that
Taweedi’s arrest comes amid growing concerns about possible political violence over next month’s elections.
President Joe Biden told reporters last week that he was confident the election would be “free and fair,” but he wasn’t sure “that it would be peaceful.”
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have condemned political violence following two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump, who has threatened to commit violence if he loses in November. It suggests sex.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said Harris “rolled out the red carpet for terrorists like Nasir Ahmad Tawdi,” citing the arrest of Tawdi, who has attacked the Biden administration on immigration. ‘ he claimed.
The Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
According to court documents, Tauhedi entered the country on a special immigrant visa in September 2021, one month after the US withdrew from Afghanistan.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement Tuesday that the thwarted plot “is a powerful demonstration of how information-sharing measures we have implemented among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are making a real difference.” It’s a powerful example.”
“Those who seek to harm our country, threaten our freedoms, and destroy our way of life will be held accountable and face the full force of the law,” the Republican governor said.
The United States continues to combat the threat of ISIS at home and abroad.
In June, eight men from Tajikistan who were on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force radar for possible ties to ISIS were arrested in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
Defense officials announced in August that the United States conducted a military operation in Iraq that killed at least 15 Islamic State militants, including members of its leadership.
A month ago, U.S. Central Command said in a statement that ISIS was responsible for 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria during the first half of this year, and that the terror group was “on track to more than double its claimed total number of attacks.” ” ” 2023.
Michael Costner, Daniel Burns, Lindsay Pipia, and Anthony Cusumano contributed.
