Boston blasts: Sisters of bombing suspects express sorrow

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) - The sisters of the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects said they were saddened by the violent actions that hurt so many people.

In a statement issued on Tuesday through their attorneys, Ms Ailina and Ms Bella Tsarnaeva also said their hearts go out to the bombing victims.

"It saddens us to see so many innocent people hurt after such a callous act. As a family, we are absolutely devasted by the sense of loss and sorrow this caused. We don't have any answers but we look forward to a thorough investigation and hope to learn more," they said.

Ms Ailina lives in a New Jersey apartment with her husband and baby, and the town's mayor has said her sister has also been at the home.

The apartment building remained under police guard on Tuesday as the sisters asked that their privacy be respected.

Their statement was the first comment from either sister since the capture Friday night of the younger of their two brothers.

Early Friday, through a barely open apartment door, Ms Ailina spoke briefly with several news outlets about her brothers.

She described the elder brother as a "kind and loving man," said "I have no idea what got into them" and also that "at the end of the day no one knows the truth."

Federal agents also removed a computer from the apartment.

West New York Police Director Michael Indri said last week that Ms Ailina had told agents she had not been in contact with her brothers for a long time, and he said he was confident that the FBI had confirmed the claim.

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