A Russian student has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail for attempting to enter Syria and join the so-called Islamic State.

Varvara Karaulova, 21, was found guilty by the military court in Moscow, which rejected her claims that she had no intention of joining the terrorist group.

“The court’s decision is Karaulova is guilty, she is sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in a penal colony,” Judge Alexander Ababkov announced.

She pleaded not guilty, saying she was motivated by love for a man fighting in Syria whom she had met online.

Her lawyers, who will appeal, argue they are trying to make her into an example to deter other girls from trying to enter Syria.