Philadelphia: An American woman “desperate to do something” to help suffering Muslims has been accused of using the internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help militants overseas, even agreeing to move to Europe to try to kill a Swedish artist, prosecutors said.
Authorities said Tuesday the case shows how militant groups are looking to recruit Americans to carry out their goals.
A federal indictment charges that Colleen R.LaRose, who called herself JihadJane and Fatima LaRose online, agreed to kill the Swede on orders from the unnamed militants and travelled to Europe to carry out the killing.
It doesn’t say whether the Swede was killed, but LaRose was not charged with murder.
A US Department of Justice spokesman wouldn't confirm the case is related to a group of people arrested in Ireland earlier Tuesday on suspicion of plotting against Swedish artist Lars Vilks, whose caricature of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) drew strong protests and condemnation from the Arab and Muslim world.
But a US official speaking on condition of anonymity said LaRose had targeted the Swedish cartoonist and had online discussions about her plans with at least one of the suspects apprehended in Ireland.
LaRose, who has blond hair and blue eyes, indicated in her online conversations that she thought her appearance would help her move freely in Sweden to carry out the attack, the indictment said.
In a February 2009 online message to a co-conspirator in south Asia, she said her physical appearance would allow her to “blend in with many people,” which “may be a way to achieve what is in my heart,” the indictment said.
LaRose embraced Islam and actively recruited others, including at least one unidentified American, and her online messages expressed her willingness to become a martyr and her impatience to take action, according to the indictment and the US official.
“I will make this [killing the artist] my goal till I achieve it or die trying,” she wrote another south Asian suspect in March 2009, according to the indictment.
US Attorney Michael Levy said the indictment doesn't link LaRose to any organized terror groups. He would not comment on whether other arrests were expected.
