Moscow student Varvara Karaulova — known for her attempt to join the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria earlier this year — has been charged with terrorism offenses, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday.
Karaulova — who recently changed her name to Alexandra Ivanova — was preparing a second attempt to join the armed group, according to the investigation.
She was in touch with a member of the Islamic State and was planning to buy a fake passport, RIA reported, citing the investigator in court.
Karaulova faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The police didn't launch a criminal investigation against Karaulova after her first attempt to join the terrorist group in June. However, on Oct. 28, Karaulova was arrested on suspicion of attempting to join the Islamic State once again. She is also suspected of recruiting Russians to join the militant group.
Karaulova has plead guilty to the charges against her in court.
Karaulova is not the only Russian to face criminal charges for joining the militant group.
In total, almost 650 criminal cases are being investigated in Russia against Russians fighting for the Islamic State, according to Prosecutor General Yury Chaika, RIA Novosti reported.
