WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has arrested an Afghan man who officers say was impressed by the Islamic State militant group and was plotting an Election Day assault concentrating on giant crowds within the U.S., the Justice Division mentioned Tuesday.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, of Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, advised investigators after his arrest Monday that he had deliberate his assault to coincide with Election Day subsequent month and that he and a juvenile co-conspirator anticipated to die as martyrs, in keeping with charging paperwork.
Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. in 2021 on a particular immigrant visa, had taken steps in current weeks to advance his assault plans, together with by ordering AK-47 rifles, liquidating his household’s belongings and shopping for one-way tickets for his spouse and youngster to journey house to Afghanistan.
“Terrorism continues to be the FBI’s primary precedence, and we’ll use each useful resource to guard the American individuals,” FBI Director Christopher Wray mentioned in an announcement.
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After he was arrested, the Justice Division mentioned, Tawhedi advised investigators he had deliberate an assault for Election Day that will goal giant gatherings of individuals.
Tawhedi was charged with conspiring and trying to offer materials help to the Islamic State group, which is designated by the U.S. as a overseas terrorist group.
It was not instantly clear if he had a lawyer who may converse on his behalf.