The U.S. Justice Department released the information below:
On March 2, 2025, the United States charged Mohammad
Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” a member of the terrorist organization the
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), with providing
and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated
foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §
2339B. Sharifullah has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Eastern
District of Virginia on March 5, 2025.
“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13
heroic service members,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President
Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will
ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second
chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”
“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,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “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 apprehension
and transport to the U.S. to face American justice. The FBI will never forget
the loss of these American heroes, we will continue to hunt down those who
viciously murdered our warriors, we will find all responsible and bring them to
justice.”
“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. “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.”
On Aug. 26, 2021, American and other Coalition military forces
were conducting an evacuation operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport
in Kabul, Afghanistan. Abbey Gate was the main entry point for the operation.
Thousands of civilians were at Abbey Gate for evacuation.
At approximately 5:36 p.m., ISIS-K member Abdul Rahman al-Logari
detonated a body-worn suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. military
service members and approximately 160 civilians.
During an interview with FBI Special Agents on March 2, 2025,
after waiving his Miranda rights, Sharifullah admitted to
helping prepare for the Abbey Gate attack, including scouting a route near the
airport for an attacker. Sharifullah specifically checked for law enforcement
and American or Taliban checkpoints; he then communicated to other ISIS-K
members that he believed the route was clear and that the attacker would not be
detected. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing al-Logari as an ISIS-K
operative he had previously known.
During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah also admitted to
supporting and conducting activities on behalf of ISIS-K in multiple other
lethal attacks.
On June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber acting for ISIS-K detonated a
bomb that killed over ten embassy guards and multiple civilians and wounded
other soldiers guarding the Canadian embassy in Kabul. ISIS claimed
responsibility for the attack. As alleged in the complaint, prior to the
attack, Sharifullah conducted surveillance to prepare the suicide bomber and
later transported the bomber to the attack area.
On March 22, 2024, a group of ISIS-K gunmen attacked Crocus City
Hall near Moscow, Russia. The attack killed approximately 130 people and
injured numerous others. Russian authorities arrested four gunmen in connection
with the attack. During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah admitted that,
on behalf of ISIS-K, he had shared instructions on how to use AK-style rifles
and other weapons to would-be attackers. Sharifullah also admitted to
recognizing two of the four arrested gunmen as those he had previously
instructed.
If convicted, Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in
prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after
considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Troy A. Edwards,
Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook,
Charles Kovats, and Ryan White for the Department of Justice’s National
Security Division are prosecuting the case.
The details described above are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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