Man Accused In Marathon Probe Due In Court

June 04, 2014

The Associated Press

In this courtroom sketch, Khairullozhon Matanov, second from left, with attorney Paul Glickman, left, appears in federal court before Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler Friday in Boston. (Jane Flavell Collins/AP)

A Massachusetts man who was charged last week with deleting computer files and lying to investigators in the Boston Marathon bombing probe is due in court for a bail hearing.

Khairullozhon Matanov is described by prosecutors as a friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, both suspected of planting bombs near the finish line of the 2013 marathon. Three people died and more than 260 were hurt.

Matanov is accused of obstructing the bombing investigation. His hearing is scheduled Wednesday in federal court.

Prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to keep him locked up while he awaits trial.

An indictment said Matanov called Tamerlan Tsarnaev about 40 minutes after the bombings and bought the brothers dinner that night. He isn't charged with participating in the bombing.

Earlier: Quincy Man Charged With Obstructing Marathon Bombing Investigation

-- Here's the indictment (via Scribd):

Boston Marathon Bombings