May 1, 2013 - FILE courtroom sketch of Robel Phillipos appearing in federal court, in Boston. Phillipos, a friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was indicted for allegedly making false statements to authorities. Prosecutors said he faces up to 16 years in prison in connection with two federal criminal counts. (AP)
BOSTON – Two friends of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have pleaded not guilty to charges they hindered the investigation into the deadly attack.
Robel Phillipos and Dias Kadyrbayev (DY'-us kah-dur-BY'-ehv) were arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court on charges of lying to investigators and conspiring to obstruct justice.
Phillipos was indicted last month on two counts of lying to authorities. In a statement, his lawyer said Phillipos was innocent and it will eventually be clear he shouldn't have been prosecuted.
The arraignment of a third friend, Azamat Tazhayakov (AZ'-maht tuh-ZAY'-uh-kahv), was scheduled for later Friday after his lawyer was delayed.
Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov, both Kazakhstan nationals, are accused of destroying or concealing some of Tsarnaev's belongings as he evaded authorities following the April bombings, which killed three and wounded more than 260.
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