Accused teen terrorist pleads not guilty

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia teen pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he conspired to help terrorists to help terrorists, including the woman known as jihadJane online.

An indictment unsealed last week alleged Mohammad Hassan Khalid, who was 17 when he was indicted, conspired with others to plan and initiate violent jihad in Europe and South Asia, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Colleen LaRose, the Montgomery County, Pa., woman known by her online handle "jihadJane" pleaded guilty to related charges earlier this year and awaits sentencing.

Khalid is the youngest suspect to be indicted in the United States for allegedly conspiring to aid terrorists.

Also charged in the indictment was Ali Charaf Damache, an Algerian officials pegged as the ringleader of the group and used the online name "Theblackflag." Damache was detained in Ireland.

The indictment accused Damache and Khalid of developing and coordinating a "violent jihad organization" that recruited men and women from the United States and Europe. While the organization was accused of sending some members to South Asia for explosives training, no acts were carried out.

Khalid's juvenile status when he was arrested presented some challenges to law enforcement officials, the Inquirer said. Because his alleged crimes occurred when he was a minor, the case was sealed until he turned 18. He has agreed to waive his status and be tried as an adult, his lawyer said.