The US Division of Justice has arrested a person who allegedly deliberate an assault on Election Day within the title of the Islamic State group.
The suspect, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, is a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, based on prosecutors.
“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent assault, on Election Day, right here on our homeland,” mentioned FBI Director Christopher Wray in a press release on Tuesday.
The FBI mentioned he was making an attempt stockpile firearms, and had taken steps to liquidate his household’s property and relocate members abroad.
Mr Tawhedi is charged with offering, making an attempt to offer, and conspiracy to offer assist or sources to a overseas terrorist group; and with attempting to acquire firearms and ammunition to make use of to commit a felony or act of terrorism.
The FBI mentioned Mr Tawhedi labored with an unnamed co-conspirator, who’s a juvenile relative and in addition a citizen of Afghanistan. It accuses him of consuming Islamic State propaganda by way of the web, based mostly on Google information obtained by legislation enforcement, and donating to a charity used as a entrance for IS.
“We’ll proceed to fight the continued risk that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s nationwide safety, and we are going to determine, examine, and prosecute the people who search to terrorize the American folks,” mentioned Legal professional Common Merrick Garland.
In response to the BBC information associate CBS, federal investigators’ affidavit alleges that Mr Tawhedi looked for surveillance cameras in Washington, and webcams displaying the White Home and Washington Monument. It additionally alleges that he researched states with extra lax gun legal guidelines.
Mr Tawhedi sought AK-47 assault rifles to make use of within the assault, authorities declare. On 7 October, he and the co-conspirator met with people who really labored undercover for the FBI to buy the weapons and ammunition.
After the acquisition, Mr Tawhedi and his co-conspirator had been arrested.
In an interview carried out after his arrest on Monday, the FBI mentioned Mr Tawhedi allegedly confirmed he deliberate an Election Day assault that might goal “massive gatherings of individuals” and that he deliberate to die carrying it out.
Mr Tawhedi arrived within the US in September 2021 on a particular immigrant visa along with his spouse and younger baby. He lived in Oklahoma Metropolis on the time of his arrest.
It isn’t instantly clear if he has authorized illustration.
