US 'Jihad Jane' accused denies terror charges

AN AMERICAN woman accused of trawling the internet as "Jihad Jane" yesterday denied she sought to kill a Swedish artist targeted by radical Muslims, or agreed to marry a terrorism suspect to help him get travel documents.

The judge set a date of 3 May for the trial of Colleen LaRose, 46, of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, on four charges.

LaRose was accused of conspiring with fighters overseas and pledging to commit murder in the name of a Muslim holy war, or jihad. She was arrested on 15 October while returning to Philadelphia from Europe and remained in federal custody while authorities pursued the investigation.

The indictment was filed on 4 March and made public five days later after authorities rounded up seven terror suspects in Ireland. Those suspects are linked to LaRose, according to a US official.

Yesterday's hearing lasted less than five minutes.