The terrorist accused of plotting to bomb the monastery in 2021, which killed 13 US members and 160 civilians amid a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, was not one of the top planners in the attack, according to investigators.
Mohammad Sharihura appeared in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Monday afternoon and faced charges to provide material support and resources to designated foreign terrorist groups that will lead to death.
FBI Special Agent Seth Parker rose to establish a possible cause of the accusation.
In a question from Sharifullah's official defender, Parker agreed that Sharifullah is not one of the top planners in Asbey Gate's attacks.
A mugshot of the suspected Abbey Gate terrorist was revealed when he appears in the first federal court
Muhammad Sharihula, a suspect in the bombing of the monastery, who killed 13 American service members during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, was handed over to the US on Wednesday. (FBI Director KashPatel)
Instead, Parker explained that the suspect was appointed by a higher leadership within ISIS-K to conduct reconnaissance on the road leading to the monastery, and to see whether there were obstacles or law enforcement along the route.
It was also noted in the court that Sharifullah said he was not present in the attack and had no knowledge of the target details.
Parker told Department of Justice prosecutors and Judge Fitzpatrick that Sharihula is a member of ISIS-K and has experience supporting previous suicide bombings.
FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly handed over to us by the Abbey Gate plotter to “facing our 13 justices.”
Mohammad Sharihura is a member of Iraqi Islamic State and Ash Sham Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), the Ministry of Justice says. (Alexandria Sheriff's Office)
The FBI reportedly interviewed Sharifura five times, including two at Pakistan Air Force Base in Quetta, Pakistan.
The FBI also interviewed him on a US plane back to the US and once interviewed the US
Parker is said to have painted a chaotic picture of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, saying the US had “collapsed” at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
During questions with Sharifullah's public defenders, Parker confirmed that Sharifullah lived near Quetta, Pakistan, where he kept livestock containing chickens.
Trump pushes to retrieve “billions of dollars” of military equipment left behind in Afghanistan's withdrawal
Signs displaying photos and names of 13 service members killed in the terrorist attack at the monastery gate outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul can be seen at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on September 9, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
During the hearing, Sharihula wore a green jumpsuit, but he appeared to be noticeably short.
Sharifullah was handed over last Tuesday night to “facing American justice,” FBI director Kash Patel said.
“A 13-year-old justice in three and a half years,” Patel wrote in X.
President Donald Trump announced the capture and delivery of Sharihula during his speech to a joint session of Congress the same night.
“Three and a half years ago, ISIS terrorists killed 13 American service members and countless others in the bombing of the monastery,” Trump told lawmakers and millions of other people.
Trump reveals top terrorists behind arrested monastery gate attack
The Taliban Fighters serve as a checkpoint outside the monastery gates on August 25, 2021, the day before the bombing. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)
“Tonight we are pleased to announce that we have just arrested the top terrorist responsible for the atrocities.
According to a Justice Department affidavit, Sharifler confessed to reconnaissing the attack routes involved in the terrorist attack near Moscow last year and training gunmen.
The monastery gate was the main entrance as the US and Allied forces were evacuation operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
Abdul Rahman Al Rogali, Abdul Rahman Al Rogali, a member of Iraq and Ash Sham Khorasan (ISIS-K) – “It exploded a body-mounted suicide bomb attack at the gates of a monastery, killing 13 US military service members and around 160 civilians,” the Justice Department said.
Click here to get the Fox News app
The US withdrawal was completed a few days later, and the Taliban later claimed control of Afghanistan.
Louis Casiano and Greg Norman of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
