Four “Proud Boys” convicted of attacking US Capitol

The former leader of the far-right Proud Boys and three other members of the group have been convicted of attacking the US Capitol. A jury at a court in the capital Washington found Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and three other men guilty Thursday, among other things, of “seditious conspiracy” in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack. This offense is very rarely used in the country’s judicial history. US Attorney General Merrick Garland said the verdict shows once again that his department is not resting in holding those responsible for the attack accountable and defending democracy.

The accused were accused of plotting to use force to prevent the democratic transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election. In recent months, several members of the far-right militia “Oath Keepers” have been convicted of “seditious conspiracy”.

The sentences for those convicted will be determined at a later date. The maximum penalty for “seditious conspiracy” is up to 20 years in prison.

“Largest investigation” in US history after Capitol storm

Supporters of President Donald Trump, who was voted out at the time, stormed the seat of the US Parliament in Washington on January 6, 2021. Congress met there to formally confirm the victory of Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election. Trump had previously incited his supporters in a speech that he had been deprived of a victory by massive election fraud. Five people died as a result of the riots. The attack on the heart of US democracy shook the country.

Garland said, “Since the Jan. 6 attack, the Department of Justice has conducted one of the largest, most complex and resource-intensive investigations in our history.” In the past two years there have been more than 600 convictions in connection with the Capitol attack. Garland emphasized: “Our work will continue.”