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'Jihad Jane' gets 10 years in US in terror plot

January 07, 2014 02:23 IST

A United States woman, who dubbed herself "Jihad Jane", was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorist and for her involvement in a plot to kill a Swedish artist who had offended Muslims.

Colleen R LaRose, 50, was charged in March 2010. She had pleaded guilty to the charges on February 1.

According to documents filed with the court, LaRose and her Co-conspirators recruited men on the Internet to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe, and recruited women on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe in support of violent jihad.

"Today, Colleen LaRose is being held accountable for her efforts to provide support to terrorists and encourage violence against individuals overseas," said Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John Carlin.

LaRose and her co-conspirators used the Internet to establish relationships with one another and to communicate regarding their plans, which included martyring themselves, soliciting funds for terrorists, soliciting passports and avoiding travel restrictions (through the collection of passports and through marriage) in order to wage violent jihad, the indictment said.

She also stole another individual's US passport and transferred it in an effort to facilitate an act of international terrorism.

In addition, LaRose received a direct order to kill a citizen and resident of Sweden, and to do so in a way that would frighten "the whole Kufar [non-believer] world."

LaRose agreed to carry out murder assignment and she and her co-conspirators discussed that her appearance and American citizenship would help her blend in while carrying out their plans.

She later travelled to Europe and tracked the intended target online in an effort to complete her task. 

Lalit K Jha in Washington
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