Mohammad Sharifullah is charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in connection with the blast at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Opening statements in federal court featured sharply contrasting accounts of Sharifullah’s alleged involvement. Defense attorney Geremy Kamens said U.S. authorities had “got the wrong man” and argued that statements attributed to his client were unreliable because they were obtained while he was in foreign custody.

Prosecutor John Gibbs countered that Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, had expressed support for attacks against Americans and admitted ties to the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, known as Daesh-K.According to prosecutors, Sharifullah told investigators he joined the group around 2016 and acknowledged involvement in militant activities, though he denied a direct planning role in the Kabul bombing.

The government alleges he helped scout the bomber’s route to the airport ahead of the attack.The bombing occurred on Aug. 26, 2021, near Abbey Gate at the airport, where thousands of Afghans were attempting to flee as U.S. forces completed their withdrawal.

A review by U.S. Central Command identified the attacker as Abdul Rahman Al-Logari, a Daesh-K operative who had been released from prison shortly before the incident.Sharifullah was captured and brought to the United States in 2025 after his arrest in Pakistan.

Then-President Donald Trump announced his capture, and he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.Jurors heard that the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted multiple interviews with Sharifullah following his detention.

The defense argued those statements should be viewed with skepticism, alleging coercion during his time in Pakistani custody.

The trial, taking place in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, is expected to last about a week. Twelve jurors and three alternates have been empaneled to hear the case.