Australia arrests 2 for trying to join Syrian jihadis
Men held after raids in 2 eastern cities; US woman to plead guilty to attempting to help Islamic State
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Australian police have arrested two men for allegedly preparing to fight in Syria, recruiting jihadists and with raising money for a terrorist group after raids on several properties, including an Islamic center, in two east coast cities.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said 180 police took part in the raids on Wednesday on nine properties in Brisbane city and neighboring Logan.
The raids come after Australia’s domestic spy chief warned that the nation may elevate its terrorism threat to the second-highest level within days because of the growing danger posed by Islamic State group supporters.
Gaughan said men, aged 21 and 31, will appear in a court Thursday.
In the United States, a 19-year-old suburban Denver woman who federal authorities say intended to wage jihad is expected to plead guilty to trying to help the Islamic State militant group in Syria.
Court records show Shannon Conley is to enter the plea Wednesday in federal court. Authorities say she was arrested at the Denver airport in April as she boarded a flight she hoped would get her to Syria.
Details of her plea agreement have not been made public. Her public defender declined to comment.
Documents say Conley told FBI agents that she wanted to use her skills as a nurse’s aide to help the militants. Agents repeatedly tried to discourage her.
Authorities say she wanted to marry a man she met online who claimed to be fighting with the Islamic State group.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
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