From YouTube to terror sweep
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- August 18, 2007: A Swedish regional newspaper published a drawing by cartoonist Lars Vilks depicting the prophet Mohammad's head on a dog's body. This provoked threats to kill Vilks by al-Qa'ida and others.
- June 2008: Pennsylvanian Colleen LaRose (46) posted a YouTube video, in which she described herself as Jihad Jane and said she was desperate to "do something somehow to help the Muslim people".
- January 2009: LaRose was in contact with South Asian and European jihadist sympathisers.
- February 2009: She wrote in an email that her physical appearance would help her blend in with many people. She allegedly agreed to marry a South Asian man to get him "inside Europe".
- March 10, 2009: She asked the Swedish Embassy how she could acquire residence there.
- March 22, 2009: Her South Asian man told her to "go to Sweden ... find location of (Vilks) ... and kill him ... that is what I say to u". She is alleged to have replied : "I will make this my goal til I achieve it or die trying".
- June 2009: She apparently had difficulty finding funds for the European trip and an accomplice made an online appeal for money.
- August 23, 2009: She flew to Europe and spent time in the Netherlands.
- September 2009 : She moved to Ireland and spent two weeks here where she was in contact with the Algerian man (49) who is the prime suspect in the group of Muslims arrested on Tuesday. She spent time with him and his Kansas-born partner in Cork and Waterford. While here she apparently sends an email to the South Asian man that "it is an honour and great pleasure to die or kill" for him. She adds : "Only death will stop me here that I am so close to the target". Gardai kept track of her movements while she was here and monitored her contacts with people living here.
- October 16, 2009: LaRose was arrested at Philadelphia International Airport and taken into custody. Gardai began a major investigation of her alleged accomplices here.
Irish Independent
