Kazakh students linked to Marathon bombings deny guilt

Kazakh students Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev accused of impeding justice during investigation of the Boston Marathon Bombings case and conspiring to destroy evidence in the dorm room of one of bombing suspects Dzhokhar Tsarnayev, denied their guilt, the lawyer of Tazhayakov Arkadi Bukh told Russia's RIA Novosti.

The first court hearing is to take place August 12, Bukh added.

Initially it was scheduled for May 14, then postponed for uncertain period upon the defense's petition.

"No more delays will be given, we are prepared for jury trial and to prove innocence... It's in our interest that the case doesn't drag on," Bukh said.  

According to FBI, the arrested Tazhayakov and Kadyrbayev had attempted to remove evidence items belonging to their friend Dzhokhar Tsarnayev, one of the bombing suspects, from his dorm room. Special services later found the items at the city dump.

Both Kazakh citizens were Tsarnayev's university friends.

FBI had previously unveiled their testimony how they took a laptop and empty fireworks, which had been used to prepare explosive devices.

"They cooperated with prosecutors wishing to help America fight terrorism. On some accusations they hope for blanket pardon," the lawyer says.

He said the hearing will bear a technical character - schedules for petition submission and prosecutoral response prior to start of a process may be compiled at it.

Tazhayakov's lawyer will not request to release his client on bail, as visas of both Kazakhs have expired.

"The college of which Tazhayakov and Kadyrbayev are students, has refused to give them documents needed to formalize student visas citing the two are currently under arrest. We believe it's a provocation. We may file a separate lawsuit against UMass Dartmouth," Bukh says.

IA Novosti-Kazakhstan