An Afghan national residing in Oklahoma City faced federal court on Tuesday after his arrest earlier this month on charges related to an alleged terror plot supporting ISIS. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, caught the FBI's attention, leading to a 45-day surveillance operation that culminated in his apprehension last week on Monday, as reported by News 9.
In court, special agent testimony shed light upon the accusations, with Tawhedi admitting to the planned Election Day violence, aiming to leave the world as martyrs, he and his 17-year-old brother-in-law sought to acquire two AK-47 rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, both allegedly from undercover federal agents, direct ISIS contact was alleged between Tawhedi and an ISIS member, with two of Tawhedi's biological brothers apprehended in France for purportedly plotting similar violence against public gatherings, according to News 9.
Following the preliminary hearing on Thursday where a judge determined there is probable cause for a trial, Tawhedi was denied pretrial release, facing charges of providing resources to a terrorist organization and conspiring to acquire firearms for an act of terrorism, this development was covered by KOCO.
Adding a layer to Tawhedi's profile, it has emerged that he was previously employed as a security guard at the U.S. Eagle Base in Kabul, Afghanistan, which was the final stronghold left behind following the American military's departure, before later transitioning to roles as a Lyft driver and oil change mechanic after relocating to Oklahoma City in December 2023, the suspect's public defender cited Tawhedi's clean U.S. criminal record as a reason he wouldn't pose a flight risk, the judge however remained unconvinced by these arguments, as detailed by KFOR.
