Attorneys for two college friends of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Wednesday separately denied federal charges that they obstructed justice following the Boston marathon bombing.
“Dias Kadyrbayev absolutely denies the charges,” his attorney, Robert Stahl, told reporters at a Mass. press conference. “As we’ve said from the very beginning, he assisted the F.B.I. In this investigation. He is just as shocked and horrified by the violence in Boston that took place as the rest of the community is. He did not know that this individual was involved in the bombing. His first inkling came much later. The government allegations as far as that he saw a photo and recognized him immediately, we dispute and will be looking forward to proving our case in court. Mr. Kadyrbayev and his family are very sorry for what happened in boston and he did not have anything to do with it.”
Harlan Pratass, who represents Azamat Tazhayakov, also denied the charges in a statement.
“Tazhayakov feels horrible and was shocked to hear that someone he knew at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, was involved with the Boston marathon bombing, just like many other individuals who were interviewed on campus. He has cooperated fully with the authorities and looks forward to the truth coming out in this case.”