Uncle of Boston bombings suspects expresses sympathy for victims

The uncle of the Boston bombing suspects, Tamerlan and Dzhokar Tsarnaev, told ITV News he feels pity for the victims of the attacks.

Speaking from his home in Makhachkala, Mohammed Hajj described suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev's recent visit to Dagestan, and said the family were shocked at the news of the bombings.

He also revealed his nephew spent time studying the Koran in Arabic and had been planning to take a pilgrimage to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, a symbolic centre of the Islamic faith.

He said he felt great sympathy for those killed, and was struggling to believe his nephew was capable of the attack. ITV News Correspondent Martin Geissler reports.

Asked if he believed his nephews carried out the bombings Mohammed Hajj said:

Suliemanova Patimat, the aunt of the pair, said the elder brother felt most at home in Dagestan:

Mohammed Hajj said he hopes his younger nephew will survive:

More: Authorities unsure if they will 'ever be able to question' bombing suspect.