French police detain Afghan citizen tied to planned US Election Day attack

Police in France have detained a 22-year-old Afghan national in a case of preparing a terrorist attack in the United States during the November 5 election.

“French police have detained a 22-year-old Afghan linked to a compatriot in the United States who is suspected of planning a terrorist attack on Election Day,” Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

Notably, on October 9, the US Department of Justice arrested a man who allegedly planned an attack on Election Day in the name of the Islamic State group. The suspect, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, is a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, according to prosecutors.

“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland," said FBI Director Christopher Wray in a statement, adding that he was attempting to stockpile firearms, and had taken steps to liquidate his family's assets and relocate members overseas.

Tawhedi is charged with providing, attempting to provide, and conspiracy to provide support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization; and with trying to procure firearms and ammunition to use to commit a felony or act of terrorism.

By Khagan Isayev