Seven Irish Muslims arrested for conspiracy to assassinate Swedish cartoonist depicting Mohammed with the body of a dog

Al Qaeda offered a $100,000 blood money for the head of cartoonist Lars Vilks after Swedish newspaper Nerikes Allehanda published his cartoon in July 2007. The terrorist organization offered a 50 per cent bonus, if the cartoonist was 'slaughtered like a lamb' by having his throat cut. Vilks was put under police protection after threats were made against his life.

Another $50,000 bounty was put on the life of Ulf Johansson, editor-in-chief of the newspaper which printed the cartoon.

Four men and three women were arrested for conspiracy to murder Vilks, following an investigation, in which European security agencies cooperated with the United States' CIA and FBI.

The suspects are Irish citizens and some of them are originally from the Middle East. Their ages range from mid-20s to late 40s. They can be held for up to seven days in custody.