Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy around the Capitol

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Due to the storming of the US Capitol in January 2021, four members of the far-right Proud Boys militia have been found guilty of “incendiary conspiracy”. The jury of a federal court in the capital Washington on Thursday, among others, convicted former Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio of this very serious charge, American media reported unanimously. The men face up to 20 years in prison. The punishment will be announced later.

The Proud Boys were involved in the violent storming of the US Capitol by radical supporters of President Donald Trump’s impeachment on January 6, 2021. The attackers wanted to prevent Congress from finally declaring Democrat Joe Biden’s victory that day in the November 2020 presidential election would confirm.

Over 230 convictions

Prosecutors charged the Proud Boys with conspiracy to prevent a transfer of power. The felony “incendiary conspiracy” is aimed, among other things, at attempts to overthrow the US government. It is rarely used in the US. The founder and leader of the far-right US militia Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, was convicted last year of “inciting conspiracy”.

After the 2020 presidential election, Trump refused to admit defeat to Biden and made allegations of voter fraud that have been refuted many times. At noon on January 6, 2021, the Republican called on his supporters to march to the Capitol and “fight hell or hell.” The ensuing attack on the Capitol, which left five dead, caused horror around the world and is considered a black day in the history of American democracy.

To date, more than a thousand suspects have been arrested in connection with the storm at the Capitol. More than 230 of them have been sentenced to prison terms, many court cases are still pending.

Trump still has many supporters among far-right militias. During the 2020 presidential election, the right-wing populist sparked outrage during a televised duel with Biden when he said, “Proud guys – hold back and get ready.” The then president was even asked to distance himself from radical right-wing groups.

Trump has not yet been held criminally responsible for storming the Capitol. A special counsel appointed by the Justice Department has set its sights on the ex-president, who wants to run again in the 2024 presidential election. Recently, former Trump vice president Mike Pence was questioned during the investigation. (AFP)

Source: Blick