Afghan Ex-CIA Affiliate Detained in Oklahoma Over November Plot Concerns

Handcuffs on top of an arrest warrant document.
District Court Arrest Warrant court papers with handcuffs isolated on white with shallow depth of field

A former CIA affiliate from Afghanistan was arrested in Oklahoma for allegedly plotting a terrorist act on Election Day, raising questions about security and foreign affiliations.

At a Glance

  • Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, linked to ISIS, was arrested for plotting an Election Day attack.
  • He faces charges of providing support to ISIS and acquiring firearms and ammunition.
  • The plot involved resettling family overseas and obtaining AK-47 rifles.
  • The FBI disrupted the plot, preventing any execution.
  • Tawhedi could face up to 35 years in prison if convicted.

The Arrest and Allegations

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national who lived in Oklahoma City, was arrested on charges related to a planned terrorist attack set for November 5th. Arrested for conspiring on behalf of ISIS, Tawhedi is accused of orchestrating the plot with a focus on providing material support to the terror group. The FBI used confidential sources to gather evidence against him, culminating in his arrest after purchasing firearms.

Tawhedi allegedly intended to sell family assets on Facebook to fund the attack. The plan purportedly entailed using the proceeds to purchase AK-47 rifles and ammunition, with the ultimate goal of executing a large-scale attack during Election Day events. The plot underscores ongoing vulnerabilities and threats the nation faces even within its borders.

Security and Enforcement

The Justice Department, working meticulously with federal agencies, successfully prevented Tawhedi’s plan’s execution. Communication with ISIS affiliates and accessing ISIS propaganda online heightened enforcement attention, which led to Tawhedi’s capture. As Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, identifying and prosecuting individuals who threaten America remains a top priority.

“As charged, the Justice Department 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,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “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. I am deeply grateful to the public servants of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”

While the arrest is a victory for national security, it raises issues about existing vetting processes. Tawhedi entered the U.S. with a special immigrant visa following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, after having worked as a CIA security guard. Such incidents reveal challenges linked to identifying potential threats among those once considered allies.

Prosecutorial Pursuits and Future Implications

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma, along with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, leads the prosecution. Tawhedi faces the possibility of receiving a maximum 35-year sentence if convicted. Ensuring election integrity and public safety becomes more pressing as details about the plot and his affiliations surface.

“Every Afghan resettled in the U.S. undergoes a rigorous screening and vetting process no matter which agency they worked with,” an official told the outlet.

Authorities continue to explore Tawhedi’s connections and planning with ISIS supporters. Federal officials highlight the importance of collaboration among law enforcement to manage and mitigate risks. As upcoming elections approach, the emphasis on protecting American soil from outside and inside threats intensifies.

Sources

1. Afghan National Arrested for Plotting an Election Day Terrorist Attack in the Name of ISIS

2. Afghan refugee charged with plotting US Election Day massacre worked for CIA: report

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