Russia Seeks Jail for Female Student Accused of Trying to Join Daesh

Varvara Karaulova is on trial in the high-profile case after she was detained last year as she tried to cross into war-torn Syria while still a philosophy undergraduate at the renowned Moscow State University.

She was charged with preparing to participate in a terrorist organization, but has pleaded not guilty, saying that she had fallen in love with a Deash fighter online and was trying to find him.

Her supporters argue that the authorities are trying to make an example of her to warn off others from trying to head to Syria, where Moscow is conducting a bombing campaign againt terrorists fighting Syrian leader Bashar Assad, AFP reported. 

Prosecutors asked in their summing up for the five-year term, arguing that Karaulova's behavior represented a "public danger" as she could have become a sniper or suicide bomber.

The final verdict is expected in the next few days.