Afghan national is on trial over suspected role in 2021 Kabul airport bombing

An Afghan national went on trial Monday in federal court on accusations that he played a key role in the 2021 suicide bombing at a Kabul airport that killed more than 180 people.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An Afghan national went on trial Monday in federal court on accusations that he played a key role in the 2021 suicide bombing at a Kabul airport that killed more than 180 people, including 13 U.S. service members, during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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Mohammad Sharifullah, known as “Jafar,” is charged with one count of providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization — ISIS-K, the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate — resulting in death. He has pleaded not guilty.

A jury was chosen Monday and began hearing opening statements and witness testimony. If convicted, Sharifullah could spend the rest of his life behind bars.