Shocking Election Day Terror Plot Thwarted

An Afghan national in Oklahoma faces charges for an alleged ISIS-inspired Election Day terror plot, raising concerns about refugee screening and national security.

At a Glance

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, arrested for planning ISIS-linked attack on Election Day.
Charges include attempting to provide material support to ISIS and obtaining firearms.
Tawhedi entered U.S. on Special Immigrant Visa in 2021, now on parole status.
Plot involved liquidating assets, resettling family, and acquiring weapons.
If convicted, Tawhedi could face up to 35 years in prison.

Afghan National Arrested for Alleged ISIS-Inspired Plot

The Department of Justice has announced the arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national living in Oklahoma City, for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil in support of ISIS. The planned assault, targeting Election Day, has sparked renewed debates on national security and the refugee screening process.

Tawhedi, who entered the United States on a Special Immigrant Visa in September 2021, is currently facing charges that could result in a maximum of 35 years in prison if convicted. These charges include conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, as well as obtaining firearms and ammunition for the attack.

BREAKING: An Afghan national living in Oklahoma has been charged with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS on Election Day, according to newly unsealed court documents. https://t.co/bqdb9Y8DPc

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 8, 2024

Details of the Alleged Plot

According to federal investigators, Tawhedi’s plan involved liquidating family assets, resettling family members overseas, and acquiring AK-47 rifles and ammunition. The FBI utilized a confidential human source and an undercover agent to interact with Tawhedi and his associates, uncovering disturbing details of the plot.

“Their ultimate aim was to stage a violent attack in the United States in the name of and on behalf of ISIS,” prosecutors wrote.

Evidence collected by authorities includes communications about the attack plan, ISIS propaganda saved on Tawhedi’s computer, and a video of him discussing martyrdom with children. Tawhedi allegedly viewed ISIS propaganda, contributed $540 in cryptocurrency to a Syria-based charity linked to ISIS, and searched for surveillance access in Washington, D.C., while seeking areas with lax gun laws.

Law Enforcement Response and Concerns

FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland have praised the efforts of law enforcement in thwarting the plot. Still, the case has heightened concerns among national security officials, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The arrest of Tawhedi has reignited discussions about the refugee screening process, especially concerning individuals from Afghanistan. This incident reflects broader tensions that emerged following the conclusion of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, sparking partisan debates on security and immigration policies.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. As the legal process unfolds, it’s important to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the critical importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to protect national security, particularly during sensitive periods such as elections.