This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

William Plotnikov Video Shows Jihadists Who May Have Influenced Tamerlan Tsarnaev

WATCH: Canadian Jihadist Who May Have Inspired Boston Suspect

A video filmed by a Canadian jihadist who may have influenced one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing shows five militants pledging to commit “good deeds” by killing non-believers.

The seven-minute video obtained by the National Post was shot by William Plotnikov, a boxer and former Seneca College student who immigrated with his family to Toronto from Russia.

Federal agents in the United States are investigating possible links Plotnikov may have had with Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who died in a firefight with police officers on April 19 in Watertown, Massachusetts. Unnamed sources quoted by CNN said Tsarnaev was in Dagestan at the same time as Plotnikov and that investigators are looking into whether the Boston suspect may have left because of the Canadian’s death.

There is no mention of when or where the footage was filmed, but the clip does give a glimpse at the thinking of Islamic rebels in the North Caucasus.

The video begins with a shot of a black flag frequently used by jihadists, before the camera pans across the room to reveal several bunk beds, food, cooking utensils and various other equipment.

The five men appear inside a small but well-stocked bunker preparing to have dinner. Speaking primarily in Russian, one of the subjects is asked “what are you doing?” to which he replies, “Terrorism. To kill kafirs [non-believers]. This is what I do.”

The militants are repeatedly heard praising Allah and seeking his help to “perform their duties” in cleansing them of the 700 sins committed in their lives.

“We are not suffering, we are not in need. We are in need of Allah’s help and he does not leave us, his servants,” Plotnikov says after asking a man identified as “Hamza” to film him. “We have food, we have someone to make the food, and there are other brothers who do deeds and perform their duties and this will be rewarded.

“And therefore, kafirs, you will never see what you would like to see ... Allah is with us. We have our guardian. You do not have one. We will kill you.”

The rebels also criticize the “Putins and Obamas” who “throw their speeches on television and give promises.”

Tamerlan’s alleged accomplice and younger brother, Dzhokhar, has been charged and remains in custody. Three more people have been arrested for allegedly helping Dzhokhar after the bombing.

Also on HuffPost

GRAPHIC WARNING: Boston Marathon explosion

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.