The United States FBI has arrested just Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national living in Oklahoma City, for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on U.S. soil inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). Tawhedi, who arrived in the United States on a Special Immigrant Visa in 2021, was plotting to target large gatherings of people on Election Day, according to federal prosecutors.
The Plot and Arrest
Tawhedi and a juvenile co-conspirator, identified as his brother-in-law, had been actively preparing for the attack in recent weeks. Court documents reveal that Tawhedi was in communication with an ISIS recruiter via the messaging app Telegram and had researched firearms laws in states with looser restrictions. He had also searched for access to security cameras in Washington, D.C., and monitored live feeds of prominent landmarks such as the White House and the Washington Monument.
On Monday, October 8, Tawhedi was arrested after purchasing two assault rifles and ammunition from an undercover FBI officer. According to the Justice Department, Tawhedi had taken steps to liquidate his family’s assets, including selling their home, and had purchased one-way tickets to Afghanistan for his wife, child, and other family members. He planned to carry out the attack after his family had safely left the country, intending to die as a martyr.
ISIS Connections and Online Activity
Tawhedi’s radicalization was allegedly fueled by his consumption of ISIS propaganda, which was found on his phone by federal investigators. He also made at least $540 in cryptocurrency donations to a charity linked to ISIS, which the FBI describes as a front for funding terrorist activities.
One of the most disturbing pieces of evidence cited by prosecutors is a video found on Tawhedi’s phone in which he tells his child about the rewards a martyr receives in the afterlife, including exemption from suffering, marriage to 72 virgins, and a crown adorned with jewels.
A Broader Threat Landscape
This arrest highlights the ongoing threats posed by extremist organizations like ISIS, particularly as the U.S. heads into a contentious election season. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals who seek to terrorize the American people.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray also praised the work of federal law enforcement, stating, “I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered and stopped the plot before anyone was harmed.”
The U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly warned of the complex threat landscape ahead of the November elections, with lone-wolf actors and small groups, like Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, posing significant risks to national security.
Special Immigrant Visa and Tawhedi’s Background
Tawhedi entered the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), a program that offers entry to Afghans and Iraqis who provided critical assistance to the U.S. military or embassy missions. The program, which has existed since 2009, saw a surge in applicants following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021.
Despite his alleged criminal actions, advocacy groups like #AfghanEvac have been quick to caution against casting blame on the entire Afghan refugee community. “These are the same individuals who stood shoulder to shoulder with us in Afghanistan for over two decades, defending the values we hold dear,” said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac. “Now, they are our neighbors, and we must support them as they seek safety and stability in their new home.”
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Tawhedi has been charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. His juvenile co-conspirator has also been arrested, though details about his identity remain confidential due to his age.
Tawhedi made his first court appearance on Tuesday, October 9, but has not yet entered a plea. He remains in custody, and his next court date is expected to be announced soon.
