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US: Right-wing Capitol striker sentenced to 18 years in prison

US: Right-wing Capitol striker sentenced to 18 years in prison

Stewart Rhodes is the leader of the extreme right-wing militia “Oath Keepers”. The sentence imposed on him is the highest ever imposed in connection with the Capitol storm.

More than two years after the storming of the US Capitol in Washington, the leader of a far-right militia has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in November. On Thursday, a court in the US capital set the sentence. The 18-year imprisonment is the highest penalty ever imposed for the attack on the seat of the US Parliament in January 2021, US media reported.

The 58-year-old was found guilty of plotting to use force to prevent the democratic transfer of power after Republican President Donald Trump was voted out of office in 2020. The offense of seditious conspiracy is particularly serious. In the history of justice in the United States, it has only rarely been used.

Long prison sentence for another member of the “Oath Keepers”

Four other members of the “Oath Keepers” have already been convicted. According to a report by CNN, the court also sentenced member Kelly Meggs to twelve years in prison.

A maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison can be imposed for seditious conspiracy. However, the prosecution must prove that there was a conspiracy to overthrow the US government or to use force to defy its authority.

Trump supporters had stormed the seat of the US Congress to prevent Democrat Joe Biden’s November 2020 victory from being confirmed. There were several deaths. Trump had incited his supporters in a speech.

Source: Stern

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