United States: arrest of woman suspected of planning attack on New York State Capitol

American federal authorities announced Wednesday the arrest of Jessica Bowie, 35, accused of having prepared a plan to attack the New York State Capitol in Albany. American justice accuses him of having attempted to provide material support to the Islamic State (IS) group, an offense punishable by twenty years in prison.

According to the FBI, this American woman who converted to Islam about five years ago began to become radicalized in recent months and expressed her support for the terrorist organization in online exchanges. According to ABC and court documents, she spotted the Capitol building several times and studied the area before her arrest.

“I want to kill the senators”

The FBI investigation is based in particular on exchanges with an informant who presented himself as linked to Daesh. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Jessica Bowie asked for help to obtain a weapon and materials to make an explosive device. Authorities say she was arrested when she thought she was retrieving an explosive device.

At a press conference in Albany, federal prosecutor John Sarcone said: "Ms. Bowie planned to use an explosive device to carry out an attack on the New York State Capitol and state senators." The DOJ also reports his comments addressed to the informant. “I want to destroy the building as much as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting. I also want them to lose a lot of important documents. »

She then wanted to go to Syria

Prosecutors say that Jessica Bowie then considered going to Syria, in territories controlled by ISIS. The head of the FBI's Albany office, Craig Tremaroli, said the alleged project posed a real risk. “Make no mistake: Ms. Bowie’s alleged plan was serious, it was dangerous. »

The case is now in the hands of American federal justice. Authorities say the investigation was led by the FBI with assistance from other agencies, including the New York State Police and local law enforcement. The accusations against Jessica Bowie remain to be examined in the legal proceedings.