Algerian, Libyan charged in plot to kill artist

Irish investigating threats to Swedish artist charge Algerian, Libyan with minor offenses

Irish police have charged two men from Algeria and Libya with minor offenses following a weeklong investigation into Muslim extremists allegedly involved in efforts to kill a Swedish artist.

Ali Charafe Damache, a 49-year-old Algerian, was charged Monday with sending a threatening text message. A Libyan who used the false name Abdul-Salam Mansour Al-Jehani was charged with immigration violations.

They and five other Muslims — including Damache's American wife — were arrested last week over alleged links to threats against Swedish artist Lars Vilks. The other five were released without charge.

Al-Qaida terrorists in 2007 placed a $100,000 bounty on Vilks' head because he drew a picture of the Muslim prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog.