Some Twitter users demanding Boston terror suspect be released

As authorities wait for an injured Boston terror suspect to recover for pending interrogation, some Twitter users began spreading claims that the 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is, in fact, innocent.

Using hashtag #FreeJahar -- “Jahar” is a Twitter name for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev -- a number of Internet users are posting comments that the suspect and his dead brother Tamerlan were framed and that Dzhokhar should be released immediately.

“Don’t believe everything you hear and see on the news. Governments have lied to us before. #FreeJahar He is an innocent man!!” tweeted one user.

“Give me clear cut evidence that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is guilty....cos right now there’s more evidence proving his innocence. #freejahar,” another person claimed.

The move appears to have begun on Sunday, when Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was taken into custody after an armed standoff that killed his brother.

A 20-year-old rapper hopeful, who claimed to be the best friend of Dzhokhar, first posted an online comment saying that he was innocent. The movement became a trend and many people started using hashtags “#PrayingForJahar,” “#FreeDzhokhar” to show their support for the suspect.

Their argument was that the Tsarnaev brothers were somehow set up, and that there was not enough evidence to prove that they were guilty.

The FreeJahar movement induced furious retort from other Twitter users.

One user said the #FreeJahar hashtag was “really upsetting,” and another said that anyone who is serious about freeing Dzhokhar should never be allowed to vote.

“If #FreeJahar means prosecute the hell out of him, then yes, #FreeJahar,” posted one user. “#FreeJahar at the next NRA convention,” wrote another.

Tsarnaev brothers are believed to be responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing attack that took place last Monday. The deadly blast killed three people, including an 8-year-old boy.



By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)