Rolling Stone Cover Featuring Boston Bombing Suspect Causes Controversy

(Rolling Stone)
Rolling Stone magazine featuring Dzhohkar Tsarnaev.

Pop culture magazine Rolling Stone has come under fire for putting Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhohkar Tsarnaev on its cover with the headline "The Bomber."

While the image has been used by other publications, critics say that Rolling Stone – which usually reserves its cover space for the hottest musician or actor of the week – is glamorizing terrorism by featuring Tsarnaev on its cover, particularly as, since his capture, Tsarnaev has attracted a cult Internet following.

Commenters immediately began to question Rolling Stone's cover decision when the magazine posted the image to its Facebook page Tuesday. "Jeff Bauman, who lost both legs, should be on cover," wrote one user. Another posted, "been a subscriber since 1982 - cancelling tonight. I am beyond words...."

However, as ThinkProgress points out, supporters of Tsarnaev, who often use the motto "Free Jahar" or "Justice for Jahar" on social media, have also criticized the cover. "Supporters should send complaint letters to @RollingStone for their disgusting idea of a cover story #Justice4Jahar," Tweeted a user under the name Tsarnaev_Truth.

The issue hits newsstands Friday and promises that its story on Tsarnaev will examine "how a popular, promising student was failed by his family, fell into radical Islam and became a monster."

Five revelations from the story have also been posted online ahead of its release. Tsarnaev has pled not guilty to the 30 federal charges for his alleged role in the April 15 attack.