An American woman accused of plotting with terror suspects abroad has pleaded not guilty to charges that include trying to kill a Swedish cartoonist.
Colleen LaRose was arraigned in the eastern city of Philadelphia Thursday.
Last week, the U.S. Justice Department announced that LaRose was involved in a plot to recruit "violent jihadist fighters" and commit murder overseas. The indictment said she referred to herself as "Jihad Jane" and "Fatima LaRose."
The man she allegedly wanted to kill is Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who drew an image of the Prophet Muhammad that outraged Muslims.
The indictment charges that she recruited men on the Internet to carry out "violent jihad," or holy war, in South Asia and Europe, and that she recruited women on the Internet who could travel around Europe in support of violent jihad.
The indictment says LaRose told her co-conspirators that her appearance as a white, blond-haired woman would help her blend in and carry out their plans. She also is alleged to have offered to marry one of her co-conspirators to establish herself in Europe.
LaRose is charged with conspiring to give material support to terrorists, conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, and other offenses. The 46-year-old has been in federal custody since October.
If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of life in prison and a $1 million fine.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
