The FBI has arrested a man from Afghanistan on suspicion of planning an election day terrorist attack in the United States.
Federal prosecutors have charged Nasir Ahmad Tauhedi with assisting ISIS and planning the attack. He was arrested in Oklahoma City on Monday. He made his first appearance in federal court on Tuesday, but did not enter an argument, according to court records. He remains in custody.
A federal criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday says Tauhedi and his unnamed co-conspirators, including a boy who is Tauhedi’s brother-in-law, are supporters of ISIS and carry out attacks in the United States. (including steps to carry out attacks inside the United States). They leave their family home, move their family overseas, and purchase firearms and ammunition.
“Their ultimate goal was to launch violent attacks in the United States in the name of and on behalf of ISIS,” prosecutors wrote.
Tauhedi, 27, traveled to the U.S. on a special immigrant visa in September 2021, days after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, and according to the criminal complaint, he is “currently in custody pending sentencing in his immigration case.” He is on parole.” According to the State Department, the United States issues special immigrant visas to individuals who served in the U.S. military as translators or interpreters in Iraq or Afghanistan, or to individuals who worked for the chief of mission authority.
Electronic records accessed by the FBI show Tauhedi is suspected of viewing ISIS propaganda and donating approximately $540 in virtual currency to a Syrian charity that “defends and funnels funds to ISIS.” did.
Federal investigators allege Tawedi sought access to surveillance and security cameras in Washington, D.C., and checked a webcam showing the White House and the Washington Monument in late July. They also believe Taewedi was looking for a place with looser gun laws.
Federal agents sent a confidential source, and later an undercover FBI agent, to covertly interact with the men who tried to sell their homes and other possessions and buy weapons on Facebook. said.
In a September 21 message to a person allegedly involved in terrorist activities, Tauhedi said he had purchased two Kalashnikov rifles and ordered 500 rounds of ammunition.
“What do you think, brother? Is that enough or should we add more,” the telegram message said.
In a subsequent message, Tawedi said her stepfather’s home had been sold for $185,000 and that the funds would be received by Oct. 15. He also asked for assistance in resettling his family, including his mother-in-law, wife and wife. Their young daughter and wife’s five siblings in Afghanistan. Tauhedi bought a one-way ticket for her family to travel to Kabul on October 17.
“Then we will begin our duties and, God willing, with God’s help, we will prepare for election day,” Tauhedi wrote.
According to the criminal complaint, Tauhedi and his brother-in-law received two AK-47 rifles on Monday, shortly before their arrest.
According to the complaint, during interrogation after his arrest, investigators said Tauhedi had purchased weapons to carry out attacks on large gatherings on Election Day, during which he “anticipated martyrdom.” told.
“I’m proud of the FBI staff who uncovered and stopped this conspiracy before anyone was harmed,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.
“We continue to combat the continuing threat ISIS and its supporters pose to our national security, identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who seek to terrorize the American people,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “I will.”
National security and intelligence officials have been warning for months of a more complex and dangerous threat landscape. Last year, Wray told Congress: “While the threat of terrorism is increasing throughout 2023, the ongoing wars in the Middle East have elevated the threat of attacks against Americans in the United States to a whole other level.” .
Taweedi’s attorney did not immediately respond to CBS News’ request for comment on the charges.
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