Terror suspect: Coconspirator wanted Danish newspaper employees beheaded to send message

Terror suspect: Beheadings part of attack on paper

CHICAGO — A Chicago man who pleaded guilty to helping plan an attack on a Danish newspaper says a coconspirator wanted newspaper employees beheaded to make a statement.

David Coleman Headley (HED’-lee) offered details about the planned attack on the Jyllands Posten newspaper in a signed plea agreement Thursday. The attack never took place.

The 49-year-old Headley says in the agreement that Pakistan-based terrorist leader Ilyas Kashmiri wanted the severed heads thrown from the newspaper office to send a message.

The newspaper offended many Muslims by publishing a dozen cartoons in 2005 depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

Headley also admitted he helped scout out the Indian city of Mumbai before a 2008 terrorist attack there that left 166 people dead.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago man has pleaded guilty to charges alleging he scouted out the Indian city of Mumbai before a terrorist attack that left 166 dead and planning to attack a Danish newspaper whose cartoons offended many Muslims.

David Coleman Headley (HED’-lee) could have been sentenced to death if convicted of the most serious charges he faced — conspiracy to bomb public places in India and six counts of murdering U.S. nationals in India.

But the 49-year-old’s plea agreement with federal prosecutors on Thursday ruled out the death penalty, provided that he cooperates with the government’s terrorism investigations.

That could include testimony against Chicago businessman Tahawwur (tuh-HOW-er) Rana, who is a co-defendant in the case.

Rana has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism.