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Video: Boston Bombing Suspects' Aunt Says "The Picture Was Staged"
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Apr 19, 2013
Modified Apr 19, 2013
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By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Apr 19, 2013
Modified Apr 19, 2013
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Maret Tsarnaev, the aunt of alleged bombers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, believes that her nephews were set up by authorities eager to pin the bombing on someone.
"What beliefs? What prompted them to do this?" she asked reporters outside of her home in Toronto. She's curious why the brothers were walking separately in the photos that the FBI released of them at the marathon on Monday.
"You have to have a motive first — something that would drive you to some actions," Tsarnaev said. "They cannot go crazy or mad or sick just for one day. As far as I know, they are fine. I don't trust the FBI. Show me evidence... I'm suspicious that the picture was staged."
When asked who staged the picture, she told reporters that the tactic of blaming someone else for a tragedy that serves your own purposes reminds her of when she lived in the Soviet Union and had to be constantly wary as an oppressed minority. This theory also goes by the name "false flag," and is currently being popularized by the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
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Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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