Afghan Man In Oklahoma Pleads Guilty To Plotting Election Day Terror Attack

An Afghan man residing in Oklahoma has pleaded guilty to plotting a terrorist attack targeting large crowds on US Election Day, the Department of Justice announced on Friday.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, admitted to planning the attack with an accomplice, Abdullah Haji Zada, with the intent to carry out a mass-casualty assault on 5 November. According to federal prosecutors, Tawhedi purchased two rifles and 10 magazines in preparation for the attack, which was allegedly inspired by support for the Islamic State (ISIS).

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement that Tawhedi “endangered lives and gravely betrayed the nation that gave him refuge.”

“By pledging allegiance to ISIS and plotting an attack against innocent Americans on Election Day, this defendant endangered lives and gravely betrayed the nation that gave him refuge,” Bondi said. She confirmed that Tawhedi would face legal accountability, have his immigration status revoked, and be permanently removed from the United States following his sentence.

She added that the Department of Justice “has zero tolerance for those who exploit our freedoms to spread violence.”

Tawhedi now faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison. His accomplice, Haji Zada, could face up to 15 years, according to officials. The Department of Justice said that upon completing their prison terms, both men will be deported and permanently barred from re-entering the United States.

Tawhedi was arrested by the FBI last year. According to the indictment, he entered the US in 2021 under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programme, intended for Afghans who supported US government efforts in Afghanistan.

FBI documents reveal that Tawhedi had viewed ISIS propaganda and made donations to a charity believed to be a front for funnelling funds to the terrorist organisation. Authorities said his actions were intended to support ISIS’s extremist goals on a high-profile date meant to maximise public impact.