The convict identified as Abdullah Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident holding a U.S. green card at the time of the offence, was convicted for conspiring on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to carry out a violent attack aimed at disrupting the democratic process.
An Afghan national who plotted a terrorist attack targeting the 2024 U.S. Election Day has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, U.S. authorities announced.
The convict identified as Abdullah Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident holding a U.S. green card at the time of the offence, was convicted for conspiring on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to carry out a violent attack aimed at disrupting the democratic process.
Investigators said Zada attempted to acquire two AK-47-style rifles and about 500 rounds of ammunition, knowing they were intended for use in a mass-casualty attack on Election Day.
The investigation was initiated by special agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who identified Zada through intelligence and counterterrorism monitoring.
HSI agents executed search warrants, seized evidence, and made the arrests that prevented the plot from being carried out, officials said.
U.S. authorities have repeatedly warned that terrorist organisations such as ISIS continue to seek opportunities to inspire or direct attacks inside the United States, particularly around symbolic events like national elections.
Since the group’s territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria, ISIS has increasingly relied on sympathisers and operatives abroad to plan or support attacks using small arms and other easily obtainable weapons.
Federal officials said the case reflects heightened security measures surrounding the 2024 elections, with law enforcement agencies prioritising the protection of polling sites, election workers, and voters amid concerns about both domestic and international extremist threats.
The investigation also highlights the role of ICE HSI in counterterrorism operations that focus on identifying, investigating, and dismantling transnational terrorist networks operating within the United States.
Following the completion of his 15-year prison sentence, Zada will be taken into custody by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and deported to Afghanistan, authorities confirmed.