The FBI arrested Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a man from Afghanistan, for allegedly planning an Election Day terrorist attack in the U.S. Tawhedi was charged with planning the attack in support of ISIS and was arrested in Oklahoma City. The Justice Department stated that he was making his initial appearance in federal court the following day. Tawhedi and his unnamed co-conspirators, including a juvenile who is his brother-in-law, were followers of ISIS and took steps to carry out their attack in the U.S. by trying to sell their family home, relocate their families abroad, and purchase firearms and ammunition. The prosecutors indicated that their ultimate aim was to stage a violent attack in the U.S. on behalf of ISIS.
Tawhedi, who is 27 years old, traveled to the U.S. on a special immigrant visa in 2021. The U.S. offers Special Immigrant Visas to individuals who worked with the U.S. armed forces or as translators/interpreters in Iraq or Afghanistan. Federal investigators found that Tawhedi viewed ISIS propaganda and contributed to a charity funneling money to ISIS. They also allege that Tawhedi searched for access to surveillance and security cameras in Washington, D.C., and sought places with lax gun laws. The FBI sent a confidential human source and an undercover agent to interact with Tawhedi as they tried to sell their possessions and purchase weapons. Tawhedi allegedly sent a message about purchasing rifles and ammunition for an attack on Election Day.
In subsequent messages, Tawhedi mentioned selling a house and securing funds by a certain date, as well as arranging for his family’s resettlement in Afghanistan. He purchased plane tickets for his family to Kabul and received two AK-47 rifles shortly before his arrest. During a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi admitted to purchasing weapons to carry out an attack on Election Day, targeting large gatherings where they expected to be martyred. FBI Director Christopher Wray commended the agency for stopping the plot before anyone was harmed, while Attorney General Merrick Garland vowed to continue combating the threat posed by ISIS and its supporters to America’s national security.
National security and intelligence officials have been warning of a more complex and dangerous threat landscape, with an elevated terrorism threat. Last year, Wray informed Congress about the increased risk of attacks against Americans in the U.S. due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The arrest of Tawhedi highlights the ongoing efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in terrorist activities that aim to terrorize the American people. The FBI and other agencies are committed to preventing such acts of violence and ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
The case involving Tawhedi underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies and intelligence officials in identifying and thwarting potential threats. The arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups like ISIS and the need for continued efforts to counter terrorism and protect national security. The FBI is dedicated to uncovering and stopping plots that could endanger the lives of the American people, as demonstrated by their actions in this case. By working together and remaining vigilant, authorities can prevent acts of terrorism and safeguard the country from harm.
