to The Los Angeles Times, Tamerlan Tsarnaevav was kicked out of the mosque three months ago after he stood up and shouted at the imam during a Friday prayer service:

The imam had held up slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as an example of a man to emulate, recalled one worshiper who would give his name only as Muhammad. Enraged, Tamerlan stood up and began shouting, Muhammad said. "You cannot mention this guy because he's not a Muslim!" Muhammad recalled Tamerlan shouting, shocking others in attendance. "He's crazy to me," Muhammad said. "He had an anger inside.... I can't explain what was in his mind." Tamerlan was then kicked out of the prayer service for his outburst, Muhammad recalled. "You can't do that," Muhammad said ofshouting at the imam. Still, Tamerlan returned to Friday prayer services and had no further outbursts, Muhammad said.

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Yet the statement from the Islamic Society of Boston said worshipers never witnessed any violent behavior from either of the brothers.

"In their visits they never exhibited any violent sentiments or behaviour. Otherwise, they would have been immediately reported to the FBI," the statement said. "After we learned of their identities, we encouraged anyone who knew them in our congregation to immediately report to law enforcement, which has taken place."

Relatives described Tamerlan Tsarnaev, an ethnic Chechen, as having become a more devout Muslim in the last two years or so. An aunt, Maret Tsarnaeva, told reporters Friday that he had recently started praying five time a day.

Chechnya is a predominantly Muslim