Kabul Airport Bombing Suspect in Custody, Arrives in US: Patel

Mohammad Sharifullah, the alleged Kabul airport bombing mastermind, arrived in the U.S. on Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel said on X. “On the ground last night at Dulles airfield as FBI personnel and our DOJ + CIA…

Sandra RhodesMar 5, 20252 min read

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Sharifullah is charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death. The attack happened as the U.S. was withdrawing from Afghanistan.

He is expected to go before the Eastern District of Virginia on Wednesday.

According to authorities, Sharifullah admitted he planned the ISIS-K attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

A suicide bomber set off a body-worn explosive at Abbey Gate in August 2021.

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“The lethal attack that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism,” Patel said in a statement.

“ISIS-K brazenly claimed responsibility for the carnage. Now thanks to the assistance of the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA, we have secured Sharifullah’s vapprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice,” he added.

“The charges announced today carry an unmistakable message: the commitment of the United States to hold accountable all who facilitate and carry out acts of terror against us will never waver,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a statement. “Our message to those who have been impacted by these horrific crimes is that you are not forgotten. We will continue to pursue justice no matter how long or how far it takes us.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the charges show that terrorists have “no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”

Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted, per The Hill.