On Thursday, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan citizen residing in Oklahoma City, entered a plea of not guilty to charges related to a thwarted Election Day terrorist attack. Tawhedi faces accusations of attempting to give material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and of planning to utilize firearms and ammunition to carry out a federal crime of terrorism. According to News9, his arraignment occurred after being indicted on two counts of conspiracy and one count related to receiving a firearm to commit a felony and terrorism.
The charges against Tawhedi detail a plot that sought to disrupt the electoral process, with preparations allegedly starting well before November's Election Day. Court documents, as reported by KOCO, reveal that Tawhedi planned to sell off his family's assets and resettle relatives in Afghanistan, further illustrating his attempt to solidify his dedication to executing the attack. His 17-year-old brother-in-law was also implicated in the preparations, purportedly selling family belongings on Facebook to support the scheme.
Tawhedi was apprehended in October after he tried to purchase guns and ammunition from undercover agents—a key move that led to his indictment. This arrest culminated in him facing serious terrorism-related charges, for which he could receive substantial federal punishment if convicted. As reported in a statement obtained by OKC FOX, Tawhedi will remain in custody pending his jury trial, which is set to commence on January 13.
