By Federal prosecutors have charged Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national residing in Oklahoma City, with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group. The planned attack was reportedly set to occur on Election Day, November 5, according to court documents unsealed on Tuesday.
Tawhedi was arrested on Monday and faces charges of conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, as well as acquiring firearms and ammunition to execute a violent attack in the United States on behalf of the terrorist organization. He made his initial appearance on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Suzanne Mitchell in the federal courthouse in Oklahoma City.
The arrest came after Tawhedi and a juvenile co-conspirator, described as an Afghan citizen with legal permanent resident status, met with two confidential human sources and an undercover FBI agent. The meeting, which took place at a rural location in the Western District of Oklahoma, was arranged for the purchase of rifles, magazines, and ammunition intended for the planned attack.
Court documents reveal that Tawhedi had indicated in seized communications his intention to carry out the attack on Election Day. In a post-arrest interview, he reportedly confirmed that the attack was meant to target large gatherings, with both he and his juvenile co-conspirator expecting to die as martyrs in the process.
Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing the Justice Department’s commitment to “combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security.” Garland added that the department would “identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people.”
The investigation uncovered several preparatory actions taken by Tawhedi. These included efforts to liquidate his family’s assets, plans to resettle family members in Afghanistan, and attempts to obtain AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition. Google records showed that Tawhedi had viewed and saved ISIS propaganda, and in July, he conducted searches related to accessing Washington D.C. cameras and U.S. states with permitless carry gun laws.
Court documents also allege that in late August, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator tried to liquidate family assets, including property in Moore, Oklahoma, which is currently under contract and pending sale. They also attempted to sell the family’s two cars, electronics, and other assets.
This arrest comes at a time of heightened concerns about potential political violence surrounding the upcoming election. President Joe Biden recently expressed confidence in the election being “free and fair” but was less certain about whether it would be “peaceful.” Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have condemned political violence, particularly in light of two recent assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.
The case emphasizes the ongoing threat posed by ISIS, both domestically and abroad. In June, eight men from Tajikistan with potential links to ISIS were arrested in various U.S. cities. Additionally, U.S. military operations against ISIS continue, with a recent operation in Iraq resulting in the death of at least 15 ISIS fighters, including leadership members.
U.S. Central Command reported that in the first half of the year, ISIS claimed responsibility for 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria, projecting that the terrorist group was on track to more than double its total claimed attacks compared to 2023.
