How Dzhokhar's Friends Learned the Truth: FBI

Tsarnaev's reply to suspicions: 'LOL'
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted May 2, 2013 2:29 AM CDT
Updated May 2, 2013 7:53 AM CDT
How Dzokhar's Friends Learned the Truth: FBI
This undated photo shows, from left, Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev, from Kazakhstan, with Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.   (AP Photo/VK)

An FBI affidavit sheds light on how Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's newly arrested friends allegedly discovered his involvement in the Boston bombings—and how they hid the evidence. About a month before the bombings, Tsarnaev had told classmates Dias Kadyrbayev and Azamat Tazhayakov that he'd learned how to make a bomb, the affidavit says, per the AP; Kadyrbayev says he thought his friend was joking. But on April 18, Kadyrbayev and another friend, Robel Phillipos, recognized what appeared to be their buddy in FBI photos of the suspects. Kadyrbayev texted Tsarnaev, noting the similarity in appearance—though shortly after the bombing, the Christian Science Monitor notes, Tsarnaev had reportedly shortened his hair.

Tsarnaev wrote back, "LOL." Later, he texted, "You better not text me," and, "Come to my room and take whatever you want." The three friends headed to Tsarnaev's dorm, but he wasn't there; his roommate let the group inside, where they found a backpack full of fireworks with the powder removed. That confirmed their suspicions, Kadyrbayev said. Kadyrbayev considered ways to hide the evidence as the friends, Phillipos said, started "to freak out." Kadyrbayev pushed to get rid of the backpack; according to the affidavit, Phillipos responded, "Do what you have to do." Authorities later found the backpack in a landfill. Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov are from Kazakhstan, and the country today announced that it condemns terrorism and is cooperating with the US investigation, Reuters reports. (More Dzhokhar Tsarnaev stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X