Second US woman charged in terror plot

The US Justice Department said Jamie Paulin Ramirez, 31, was arrested on Friday in Philadelphia after voluntarily flying from a country it did not specify. She had been arrested in Ireland last month, but later released as authorities investigated an alleged plot to kill the Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks.

After LaRose

A US grand jury indicted Ramirez as a second defendant in the case against another American, Colleen LaRose who is also known as “JihadJane”. LaRose was accused of plotting to kill the Swedish man and using the Internet to enlist co-conspirators.

Ramirez was charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and if convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison and a $2,50,000 fine. LaRose is facing additional charges and could face life in prison.

US authorities have become increasingly concerned about Americans becoming radicalised by militant groups and being drawn in to participate in potential terrorism plots.

Two men in Ireland have been charged over the alleged plot to murder Vilks, who had drawn the Prophet Mohammad with the body of a dog. That drew offence by many Muslims and an Iraqi group linked to al-Qaeda in 2007 had offered a $1,00,000 reward for his murder.

LaRose, 46, was charged for the alleged plot and recruiting people online to wage jihad in South Asia and Europe.

The new indictment unsealed on Friday said Ramirez traded email messages with LaRose last year and was invited to attend a training camp in Europe.