Publication date: 31.07.2025
Specializes in criminal defense, including white-collar crimes, cybercrime, federal cases, violent offenses, drug-related charges, as well as family, civil, medical, and immigration law. Multilingual — fluent in Russian, English, Hebrew, and Chinese, which is an advantage when working with international clients.
Case: Defense of Azamat Tazhayakov in the Boston Marathon Case
Attorney: Arkady Bukh
Category: Criminal Law, High-Profile National Case
Jurisdiction: United States (Federal Level)
Case Overview
In 2013, following the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon, several individuals were arrested on suspicion of obstructing the investigation. Arkady Bukh represented one of them — Azamat Tazhayakov, a student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, who studied alongside the main suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Tazhayakov was charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and actual obstruction of a terrorism investigation by allegedly destroying or concealing evidence. He faced up to 25 years in prison.
Legal Strategy
The defense, led by Arkady Bukh, focused on the following key aspects:
Lack of criminal intent: The attorney argued that the client’s actions were not deliberate and lacked the intent to obstruct justice.
Moral profile of the defendant: The defense demonstrated that Tazhayakov held no radical views, was not part of any terrorist plot, and acted under emotional influence
Mitigating factors: These included psychological pressure, peer influence, and the defendant’s young age
Client Case Summary: Defense in the Boston Marathon Case (USA)
Case Details
Azamat Tazhayakov, a student from Kazakhstan who studied at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev — the main figure in the Boston Marathon bombing case — was accused of:
- Conspiracy to obstruct justice
- Actual obstruction of a terrorism investigation
- The prosecution claimed that Tazhayakov helped hide evidence that could have been used against Tsarnaev. He faced up to 25 years of imprisonment.
Attorney’s Actions
- As the defense attorney, Arkady Bukh built his strategy around several crucial points:
- No criminal intent: Arguing that the client had no conscious intent to obstruct the investigation.
- Youth and psychological pressure: Highlighting the vulnerability of a young student caught in a high-pressure, highly publicized event.
- Full cooperation with authorities: Demonstrating the client’s willingness to cooperate as a sign of good faith and accountability.
Outcome
Although sentencing was initially scheduled for October 16, it was postponed due to a related case pending in the U.S. Supreme Court.
According to The Boston Globe, the actual prison term was expected to be significantly reduced due to the effective defense strategy and the compelling mitigating factors presented by the attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case
Question
What was the main challenge in Tazhayakov’s case?
Answer
The primary difficulty was the high public profile of the case — it was tied to a terrorist act that captured national attention. Every move by the defense was closely watched by the media, the public, and federal authorities.
Question
What role did the attorney play in the outcome of the case?
Answer
Arkady Bukh shifted the focus from the prosecution’s allegations to humanitarian and psychological factors: the client’s youth, lack of direct involvement in the attack, and the surrounding social pressure. This helped reduce the risk of the maximum sentence.
Question
Why is this case considered a milestone in Arkady Bukh’s career?
Answer
This was one of the most publicized legal proceedings in which the attorney operated under extraordinary pressure and still managed to secure a more favorable outcome for his client. It highlighted Bukh’s expertise in cases involving national security, terrorism, and international legal dynamics.
Comment
“This case demonstrated my ability to navigate a high-profile legal matter, where every step could impact a person’s future and potentially set a legal precedent.”
— Arkady Bukh
This case is a textbook example of how an attorney’s skill in defending their client can play a decisive role in mitigating sentencing in one of the most significant federal cases in recent U.S. history.
Although sentencing was originally set for October 16, it was delayed due to a similar case being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which could have set a precedent.
According to The Boston Globe, thanks to a well-executed defense, the likelihood of a long-term prison sentence was considered low — a significant achievement for the legal team.
This case underscores Arkady Bukh’s experience in handling complex federal criminal cases, particularly those related to national security, and his ability to build a powerful defense in cases of intense public scrutiny.
