An Afghan citizen living in Oklahoma has been indicted on charges of planning an election-day terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State, and the suspect and a minor co-conspirator are expected to be martyred, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. .
Authorities said Nasir Ahmad Tauhedi, 27, obtained firearms and ammunition to carry out violent attacks on U.S. soil and took numerous steps to prepare for the plot. He entered the United States on a special immigrant visa on September 9, 2021, weeks after US troops withdrew from Afghanistan, and is currently on parole pending the determination of his immigration case.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the investigators and law enforcement officers who were able to uncover and thwart this terrorist plot before innocent lives were endangered,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. said. “This is a powerful example of how the information-sharing measures we have implemented among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are making a real difference.” Our nation. Those who seek to harm our people, threaten our freedoms, and destroy our way of life will be held accountable and brought to the full force of the law. ”
Tauhedi was arrested Monday and is charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm for use in the commission of a felony or federal crime of terrorism. He appeared in Oklahoma federal court on Tuesday.
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Photo taken in July. The defendant is said to have explained to his daughter and another child about the “rewards that martyrs receive in the afterlife.” (Ministry of Justice)
“As per the indictment, the Department of Justice thwarted defendant's plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and carry out violent attacks in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Ta.
Prior to the planned attack, Tauhedi allegedly liquidated his family's assets, resettled them overseas, and obtained an AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition.
In the confiscated communications, Tauhedi allegedly suggested that an attack was planned to target a mass rally on election day, when he and the boy were expected to die as martyrs.
“This defendant was motivated by ISIS and allegedly conspired to carry out a violent attack here in our country on Election Day,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “I am proud of the FBI members who uncovered and thwarted the plot before anyone was harmed. Terrorism remains the FBI's top priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people.” I intend to.”
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Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi is seen making the 'Tawhid' gesture in the photo. (Ministry of Justice)
Federal prosecutors allege that Tauhedi communicated with individuals who expressed an interest in terrorist activities and facilitated the recruitment, training and indoctrination of people they believed were affiliated with ISIS. Authorities said a search of cellphones and other electronic devices revealed a video recorded on July 20 showing the martyr reading aloud to children a text describing the rewards he would receive in the afterlife. It is said that
He also stored ISIS propaganda on iCloud, joined a pro-ISIS Telegram group, and donated to charities that allegedly funneled money to ISIS.
While liquidating the family's assets, Tauhedi and a minor co-conspirator advertised the sale of the family's personal property on Facebook. A confidential informant working for the FBI asked if the computers were still for sale, claiming they were needed for the “gun business.”
The Department of Justice seal speaks during a press conference at the Justice Department's offices in Washington, May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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This led Tawhidi and the boy to meet locally with informants and others working for the FBI to test the firearms. During the meeting, Tauhedi expressed interest in purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles, magazines and ammunition from the informant, prosecutors said.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 35 years in prison.
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