Terrorist attack on US election: Afghan suspect Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi once worked with the CIA – reports

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, Several American media outlets have reported that an Afghan man arrested for plotting an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack on the US presidential election once worked with the CIA.

According to the reports, it is not clear whether the 27-year-old was radicalized before or after his arrival in the United States following the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, when the Taliban took over at the end of a bloody war spanning more than 20 years.

US elections: Afghan man arrested for planning attack on US election day

Tawhedi reportedly worked as a security officer for the Central Intelligence Agency and came to the United States in September 2021.

He was arrested on Monday (October 7) in Oklahoma City for the terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State group.

According to US court documents, Tawhedi and other suspects, including his teenage brother-in-law, planned a shooting attack on large gatherings on Election Day, November 5, when Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will fight for the White House.

The conspirators sold their home and belongings and purchased firearms to carry out the attack, including two AK-47 rifles that they received shortly before their arrest, according to documents unsealed on Tuesday (October 8).

He told investigators the conspirators expected to be martyred, court documents say.

Tawhedi, who is currently in custody, had accessed ISIS propaganda and sent money to a charity run by the terror group.

He entered the U.S. through the so-called humanitarian parole route and later applied for a special immigrant visa issued to those who have worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tawhedi is scheduled to appear at a hearing on October 17.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Afghan nationals entering the United States would be screened and vetted by intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism experts.

“Any new information that suggests this person may pose a threat to public safety, we take immediate action,” she added, without answering specific questions about the terrorist attack.

(With contributions from agencies)