An Afghan immigrant in Oklahoma City faces charges over ISIS-related terrorist scheme on Election Day
OKLAHOMA CITY — Authorities announced that a man from Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City was charged on Tuesday for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day in the U.S. for the benefit of ISIS, according to the Department of Justice.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was accused of conspiring to “provide material support to ISIS” while acquiring firearms and ammunition to execute a violent act on American territory. If he is found guilty on all counts, he could face a maximum of 35 years in prison.
Tawhedi and his brother-in-law were taken into custody on Monday after the purchase of two AK-47 rifles and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent in a rural area of Oklahoma, as stated in a court document from the FBI. Following his arrest, Tawhedi reportedly acknowledged that they intended to use the weapons for an Election Day attack aimed at large crowds, expressing their belief that they would die as martyrs in the process.
On July 25, he accessed webcams for the White House and Washington Monument using his Google account, as per the court affidavit.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the Justice Department successfully prevented the plot.
“We will persist in our efforts to address the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to U.S. national security, and we will locate, investigate, and prosecute those attempting to instill terror among the American populace,” he emphasized.
FBI Director Christopher Wray affirmed that the scheme was detected and thwarted before any harm could occur.
“This defendant’s alleged actions, driven by ISIS, show a conspiracy to carry out violence on our homeland on Election Day,” Wray remarked in a statement. “Combatting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority, and we will dedicate every resource to safeguard the American people.”
Tawhedi entered the United States on September 9, 2021, holding a special immigrant visa. His arrival coincided with the resettlement of thousands of Afghans seeking refuge amidst the Taliban takeover.
Approximately 1,000 Afghans relocated to Oklahoma City during that time.
According to U.S. Senator James Lankford, Tawhedi is classified as an Afghan refugee. The FBI reported that he resides with his wife and their 1-year-old child in an apartment.
The lawyer appointed to represent him did not respond immediately for comments on Tuesday evening.
The brother-in-law, identified in the affidavit as an Afghan national living with his parents in a Moore, Oklahoma home, was not named due to being reported as a juvenile.
The co-conspirator arrived in the U.S. on March 27, 2018, using a special immigrant visa, based on the affidavit’s details.
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
