Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers ask judge to lift overly harsh restrictions against him

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers asked a judge Wednesday to lift restrictions placed on him in prison, arguing that the conditions are overly harsh, have left him nearly totally isolated and are impairing their ability to defend him.

Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect said in court documents that he has been confined to his cell except for visits from them and “very limited access” to a small outdoor enclosure.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, is accused of building and planting bombs near the finish line of the April 15 marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 260. Authorities say he and his older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, ethnic Chechens from Russia who emigrated to the US as children, planned and carried out the attack to retaliate against the US for its involvement in Muslim countries.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed four days after the Boston Marathon attack following a gun battle with police. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found wounded and hiding in a boat in a backyard in Watertown. Authorities said he had scrawled anti-American messages on the inside of the boat, including “The US government is killing our innocent civilians” and “We Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all”.

In their motion, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers said “Special Administrative Measures” (SAM’s) were imposed on their client beginning in August, at the request of US attorney Carmen Ortiz and the approval of US attorney general Eric Holder.

“SAMs” are used in terrorism cases and other high-profile cases when authorities allege there is “substantial risk” that a defendant’s communications or contacts with people “could result in death or serious bodily injury” to others. The special restrictions were placed on shoe-bomb suspect Richard Reid, “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh and other terror suspects.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers say prosecutors have presented no evidence that the special restrictions are needed in Tsarnaev’s case.

“The government has not alleged that Mr. Tsarnaev has done or said anything since his arrest to commit violence, incite violence, or engage in communications that pose a security threat,” his lawyers argued in the filing.

They also said the special measures limit Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s interaction with people who are helping the defense and restrict the communications and other activities of the defense team.