Ilhan Omar's Republican opponent was banned from Twitter after suggesting the congresswoman should be tried for treason and hanged

Associated Press/J. Scott Applewhite

Rep.-elect Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., joins House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and newly-elected members at a news conference to discuss their priorities when they assume the majority in the 116th Congress in January, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.

• The campaign account of a Republican vying for Rep. Ilhan Omar's seat was banned from Twitter after suggesting Omar should be hanged for treason, the Washington Times first reported.
• Danielle Stella's campaign account, @2020MNCongress, promoted unsubstantiated claims that Omar has illegally shared sensitive government information with Qatar and Iran.
• Omar has called the unfounded claims "outlandishly absurd" and a spokesperson for her campaign has accused "Saudi Arabian trolls and mouthpieces" of targeting Omar with conspiracy theories.
• Stella was recently charged with a felony for allegedly stealing over $2,300 from a Target store and about $40 in items from a grocery store, The Guardian reported in July.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The campaign account of a Republican vying for Rep. Ilhan Omar's Minnesota congressional seat was permanently banned from Twitter this week after posting a threatening image of a hanging and accusing Omar of committing treason, the Washington Times first reported.

Danielle Stella's campaign account, @2020MNCongress, promoted a wild conspiracy theory that Omar has illegally shared government information with Qatar and Iran.

"If it is proven @IlhanMN passed sensitive info to Iran, she should be tried for #treason and hanged," Stella's account tweeted on Tuesday shortly before posting an image of a stick figure being hanged.

Omar, one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, has called the unfounded claims "outlandishly absurd." Her spokesperson accused "Saudi Arabian trolls and mouthpieces" of targeting Omar with "misinformation and conspiracy theories."

The outrageous claims about Omar were recently debunked by the right-wing news site The Daily Caller. The allegations stem from a Canadian businessman who has accused Omar and White House adviser Jared Kushner of being Qatari assets. The businessman, who was born in Kuwait, is believed to be an agent of the Saudi Arabian regime.

"People often ask me why I don't fight back against them often," Omar tweeted of the conspiracies on Tuesday. "It's a valid question, one my team, family and I struggle with. There is just too much, they are too ridiculous and it feels degrading to respond to such stupidity."

Stella, who also allegedly endorses the pro-Trump "QAnon" conspiracy theory, defended her behavior and attacked Twitter. She is one of five candidates so far running in the GOP primary for Omar's seat.

"My suspension for advocating for the enforcement of federal code proves Twitter will always side with and fight to protect terrorists, traitors, pedophiles, and rapists," Stella said in a statement.

Stella was recently charged with a felony for allegedly stealing over $2,300 from a Target store and about $40 in items from a grocery store, The Guardian reported in July. She has denied the charges.

• Read more:
• In a huge blow to Trump, the DOJ watchdog found no evidence to support the claim that the FBI spied on his 2016 campaign
• 3 women accuse Trump impeachment witness Gordon Sondland of sexual misconduct
• Women are the biggest supporters of impeachment and want Trump removed by an 18-point margin
• Fiona Hill slams Republican lawmakers who've promoted 'politically driven falsehoods that so clearly advance Russian interests'

NOW WATCH: A law professor weighs in on how Trump could beat impeachment