In May 2012, Russian security services caught up with Mr. Nidal, killing him in a shootout at an apartment on the outskirts of Makhachkala.

WSJ: Dagestan Islamists Were Uneasy About Boston Bombing Suspect

Major Nidal Hasan's lawyers say the beard is an expression of his Muslim faith, but army regulations state that soldiers must be clean shaven.

BBC: Beard row halts trial of Major accused of murder

The Associated Press reported that Hasan attracted the attention of law enforcement authorities in recent months after an Internet posting under the screen name "Nidal Hasan" compared Islamic suicide bombers to Japanese kamikaze pilots.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Hasan was not a ��sleeper,�� says forensic psychiatrist