Alleged ISIS-K Scout In Kabul Abbey Gate Bombing Faces Trial In Virginia
An Afghan man accused of scouting for ISIS-K in the Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport is now on trial in Virginia. His lawyer told jurors that a written confession was false and that the defendant was coerced during interrogations. The Abbey Gate attack in 2021 killed U.S. service members and Afghan civilians and was claimed by Islamic State Khorasan, which U.S. officials blamed for the airport assault.
Prosecutors say the defendant helped plan the Abbey Gate bombing by acting as a scout, a role that can bring severe federal penalties if he is convicted. The defense is asking jurors to closely examine how evidence and statements were obtained as the case proceeds in U.S. federal court in Virginia.
đ Key Facts
- Trial opened April 20, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, with jury selected the same day.
- Defendant is Afghan national Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, charged with providing material support to ISIS-K resulting in death.
- Prosecutors allege he scouted the bomber's route for the August 26, 2021 Abbey Gate attack that killed nearly 200 people, including 13 U.S. service members.
- Defense attorney says Sharifullah had no role in the bombing and gave a false confession, arguing "the U.S. government got the wrong man."
- Sharifullah allegedly told a journalist he wanted to kill American "crusaders" and told FBI agents he joined ISIS-K around 2016.
- President Trump publicly announced Sharifullah's capture during his March 2025 State of the Union address.
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