Two Men Charged in Terrorist Plot Involving “Jihad Jane”

Two men have been charged in connection with a suburban Philadelphia woman for helping to fund terrorist activity in South Asia and Europe.

Ali Charaf Damache, 46, an Algerian man who resided in Ireland, and Mohammad Hassan Khalid, 18, a Pakistani citizen who resided in Maryland, are accused of conspired with Montgomery County resident Colleen LaRose, Colorado resident Jamie Paulin Ramirez and others over the Internet to provide support to terrorists, including recruitment services, financing and identification documents.

According to the indictment, Damache, Khalid and LaRose recruited men online to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe. They also recruited women who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe in support of violent jihad.

Damache was arrested in Ireland in March 2010 where he is being held on unrelated charges. Authorities will seek extradition from Ireland to stand trial in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Khalid was arrested in Ellicot City, Md., in July and is being held in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Both are charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and Damache is also charged with attempted identity theft.

If convicted, Damache faces up to the 45 years in prison, while Khalid could be sentenced to 15 years in jail.

LaRose, also known as Jihad Jane, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, false statements and attempted identity theft. Ramirez pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.