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, including 13 U.S. service members, during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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.

On Aug. 26, 2021, U.S. and other coalition forces were conducting an evacuation operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, and Abbey Gate was the main entry point for the operation. Thousands of civilians swarmed, hoping to evacuate the country due to fears of the Taliban’s rise in power.

At approximately 5:36 p.m., ISIS-K member Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a body-worn bomb.

Read more: NBC News