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Dias Kadyrbayev, friend of Boston bombing suspect, pleads guilty

Dias Kadyrbayev of Kazakhstan admitted in U.S. District Court on Thursday that he removed a backpack containing emptied-out fireworks from Tsarnaev's dorm room several days after the 2013 attack that killed three people and injured more than 260 others.

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Jane Flavell Collins/AP/File
Dias Kadyrbayev testifies in federal court in Boston, in this artist's sketch. Kadyrbayev, a native of Kazakhstan and friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and conspiracy for allegedly removing a backpack containing fireworks from Tsarnaev's dorm room after realizing he was suspected of carrying out the deadly 2013 attack.
  • By Denise Lavoie Associated Press

| BOSTON

A college friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges.

Dias Kadyrbayev of Kazakhstan admitted in U.S. District Court on Thursday that he removed a backpack containing emptied-out fireworks from Tsarnaev's dorm room several days after the 2013 attack that killed three people and injured more than 260 others. 

Under the plea agreement, federal prosecutors said they would ask for no more than seven years in federal prisons for the 20-year-old Kadyrbayev. His lawyer still could seek a lighter sentence.

Judge Douglas Woodlock set sentencing for Nov. 18 but did not immediately accept the plea agreement, saying he first wanted to review a report that will be prepared by the probation department.

Azamat Tazhayakov, a friend of Kadyrbayev, was convicted last month.

During his trial, witnesses said Kadyrbayev took the backpack and threw it in the trash, while Tazhayakov was convicted of agreeing with the plan to remove the items.

During Tazhayakov's trial, prosecutors said the items were removed from Tsarnaev's room hours after Kadyrbayev received a text message from Tsarnaev saying he could go to his dorm room and "take what's there."

The backpack and fireworks were recovered later in a New Bedford landfill. Prosecutors said the fireworks had been emptied of explosive powder that can be used to make bombs.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a shootout with police several days after the bombings. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges and faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin in November.

A third college friend, Robel Phillipos, of Cambridge, is charged with lying to federal investigators. He is scheduled to go on trial next month.

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