An Illinois Army National Guard soldier and his cousin have pleaded not guilty to plotting terrorist attacks in support of the Islamic State group.
Lawyers for 22-year-old guardsman Hasan Edmonds and 29-year-old Jonas Edmonds entered the pleas Wednesday at a Chicago federal court.
Their aunt cried at a spectator's bench as marshals led her Aurora nephews away later. Jonas Edmonds looked up and told her: "There's no reason to cry. No reason at all."
A federal complaint says Jonas planned to attack an Illinois military facility while Hasan joined Islamic State fighters. It says Hasan vowed to bring "the flames of war" to America.
Agents arrested Hasan at a Chicago airport and Jonas at his Aurora home last month. If convicted, they face a maximum 15-year prison term.
