BBC: Tamerlan Tsarnaev read extremist literature prior to marathon bombings

(MyFoxBoston.com) – Before the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, bomber number one Tamerlan Tsarnaev was reading up on right-wing American literature, the BBC reports.

The BBC released months of research explaining the roots of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's radicalization. The report says the older Tsarnaev was reading up on all kinds of extreme ideas, including conspiracy theories, articles supporting Adolf Hitler, and government plots.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was known as the alleged mastermind behind the bombings, subscribed to publications featuring white supremacist ideas and government conspiracy theories suggesting both 9/11 and the Oklahoma City bombing were inside government jobs. He was also reportedly reading about mass killings, reports the BBC.

"Extremists of all kinds share certain characteristics. They're very conspiratorial. They hate the federal government," Northeastern University criminologist Jack Levin told FOX 25. "We're talking about Christians, Muslims, Jews - who believe in the use of violence. So it doesn't come as a surprise to think that the marathon bombers would have had a lot in common with white supremacists."

The BBC report is based on months of interviews conducted with friends of the bombers.

Friends of the alleged bombers told the BBC Tamerlan became anti-American and passionate about Islam after getting frustrated when his boxing career faltered because he didn't have American citizenship.

A friend who only wanted to be known as "Mike" is quoted in the report saying, "He just didn't like America. He felt like America was basically attacking all Middle Eastern countries."

Friends of Tamerlan's brother Dzhokhar were also quoted in the article saying he was influenced and intimidated by his older brother.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed following a gun battle with police three days after the attack.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges, including using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, in connection with the April 15 attack, which left three people dead and more than 260 wounded. He could get the death penalty if prosecutors choose to pursue it.

Cox Media Group