The obscure Russian jihadist whom Tamerlan Tsarnaev followed online
Tamerlan Tsarnaev's YouTube account has been an object of fascination and speculation since journalists and Web users first found it just hours after the Boston bombing suspect’s name was released. There’s been particular attention on the two videos he placed in a playlist labeled “terrorism,” which involves a Dagestani jihadist virtually unknown outside his region.
The videos could hint at Tsarnaev's knowledge of foreign terrorists, at least one expert says. Investigators say they have ruled out the possibility that Tamerlan and his brother worked with an outside group, but the Internet is a big place, and the corners where Tsarnaev may have spent his time could give some clues as to what he believed.
But the interesting thing about Dolgatov in particular is his obscurity. Law enforcement officials do not believe there is any link between the Tsarnaevs and outside terrorist groups. Even so, the fact that Tsarnaev even knew about this minor Dagestani terrorist seems to suggest that the young man had unusually detailed knowledge of the groups, North Caucasus expert Cerwyn Moore told the Guardian.
“He’s obviously aware of some of the clandestine groups operating in Dagestan," Moore said. "This is a small sub-group. Abu Dujana is not a big player. Federal forces have been successful recently at killing all the top leaders.”
http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/04/24/the-obscure-russian-jihadist-whom-tamerlan-tsarnaev-followed-online/