The FBI has arrested Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan man living in Oklahoma City, who was allegedly plotting an Election Day attack inspired by the Islamic State militant organization. Tawhedi told investigators that he planned to target large crowds and expected to die as a martyr. He had taken steps to advance his attack plans, including ordering AK-47 rifles, liquidating his family’s assets, and buying one-way tickets for his wife and child to travel to Afghanistan. The arrest comes amid heightened concerns about extremist violence in the U.S., with FBI Director Christopher Wray stating that terrorism remains the agency’s number one priority.
The FBI affidavit shows that Tawhedi had been planning the attack for some time, consuming Islamic State propaganda, contributing to a charity linked to the militant group, and communicating with individuals involved in recruitment for extremism. He also viewed webcams for the White House and the Washington Monument. Tawhedi’s co-conspirator, described as a juvenile and the brother of his wife, was also arrested. The FBI initiated contact with the suspects after they advertised personal property for sale on Facebook and later arranged for them to purchase weapons at a gun range.
After taking possession of two AK-47 rifles and ammunition he had ordered, Tawhedi was arrested on Monday and charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. The charge carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. Tawhedi appeared in court on Tuesday and was ordered detained. The Justice Department did not provide details about the juvenile co-conspirator. Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. on a special immigrant visa in 2021, has been on parole status pending the conclusion of his immigration proceedings.
While the charges against Tawhedi are serious, advocates for Afghan immigrants stress the importance of not assigning blame to the entire community. The special immigrant visa program allows Afghans who assisted the U.S. military or embassy in Kabul to apply for entry into the U.S. with their families, and the number of applicants surged after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, emphasized the contributions of Afghan immigrants to American society and called for support for those seeking safety and stability in their new home.
Tawhedi’s family home in Oklahoma City had a for-sale sign outside, and his wife declined to comment on the case. It is unclear if Tawhedi has legal representation. The Justice Department emphasized that terrorism remains a top priority for the FBI, and Director Wray reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting the American people. The arrest of Tawhedi underscores the ongoing threat of extremist violence in the U.S. and the need for vigilance in identifying and preventing potential attacks.
