By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – An Afghan citizen released into the U.S. less than 10 days after the Biden-Harris deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was arrested for plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on American soil.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday announced charges were brought against 27-year-old Afghan national Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
His co-conspirator, a juvenile and Tawhedi’s wife’s brother, was also charged. The brother, an Afghan national with legal permanent resident status, was residing in Moore, Oklahoma.
The charges are “providing, attempting to provide, and conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization; Knowingly receiving, conspiring to receive, and attempting to receive firearms and ammunition to be used to commit a felony or Federal crime of terrorism,” according to the criminal complaint.
Tawhedi allegedly conspired and attempted to provide material support to ISIS by attempting to acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition to commit a terrorist attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS. He also allegedly planned and took steps to liquidate his family’s assets and resettle family members overseas on Oct. 17, the complaint states.
The DOJ “foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “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 the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people.”
“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray, after warning about heightened Islamic terrorist attacks.
The complaint states that from between August 2024 and Oct. 7, the two Afghan nationals “entered into a conspiracy to knowingly receive, attempt to receive, and received a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism.”
It cites examples of their “pro-ISIS ideology,” including a July 20 video recording of Tawhedi reading an Islamic text to his daughter and his wife’s nephew about Islamic martyrs, saying, “martyrs will be exempted from the sufferings of the grave, placed in heaven, get married to 72 virgins, and receive the crown full of jewels,” the complaint states.
After search warrants were issued, FBI investigators discovered that Tawhedi allegedly accessed, viewed, and saved ISIS propaganda on iCloud and in Google accounts, participated in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and donated over $500 to a Syria-based charity that funnels money to ISIS.
They also found images Tawhedi allegedly stored electronically related to terrorism, including of a suicide vest, killing infidels, the 9/11 terrorist attack, ISIS leaders, the US Capitol with an ISIS flag flying above it, among others. His brother-in-law was also mentioned in at least five pro-ISIS Telegram groups, according to the complaint.
One Telegram message thread states Tawhedi sold the family’s Oklahoma home, will receive the money by Oct. 15 and, “After that we will begin our duty, God willing, with the help of God, we will get ready for the Election Day.”
When liquidating his assets, he and his co-conspirator allegedly advertised selling personal property on Facebook. An FBI confidential source responded to one ad inquiring about purchasing a computer and also claimed to have a firearms business. The two Afghan nationals subsequently agreed to meet on Oct. 7 in a rural location. Tawhedi then allegedly purchased and received two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition, and was subsequently arrested, the complaint states.
After his arrest, Tawhedi confirmed he and his co-conspirator planned to commit a suicide attack on Election Day to kill a large number of people, according to the complaint.
In response, U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-TN, and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger, R-TX, blamed the Biden-Harris “Operation Allies Welcome” policy. Through it, 77,000 Afghans were released into the country who weren’t properly vetted, according to an Inspector General report.
“When tens of thousands of insufficiently vetted individuals are let into the interior, this is the inevitable result,” they said. “This Committee has repeatedly warned of the terror threats stemming from the Biden-Harris administration’s failed leadership and disastrous border security policies.
“Unfortunately, our calls for transparency regarding the inadequate vetting and screening following the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan continue to go unanswered – and, here, Americans almost paid the price. We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement in thwarting this alleged terror plot on Election Day, but President Biden and Vice President Harris must reverse course on their misguided policies and put the safety and security of the American people first.”