US Capitol attack: Former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years imprisonment

The court sentenced right-wing Proud Boys group's former chairman Enrique Tarrio to 22 years of imprisonment for his involvement in the US Capitol attackcarried out on 6 January 2021 by Donald Trump's supporters, who were trying to overturn the election defeat of the former president.

The court convicted Enrique Tarrio of charges, which included seditious conspiracy and for the role he played in planning the storming of Trump's supporters inside the Capitol when efforts were made by thousands of people to violently stop Congress from certifying the election results that were falsely claimed by Trump to be 'fake'.

"That day broke our previously unbroken tradition of peacefully transferring power. That previously unbroken tradition is broken now, and it's going to take time and effort to fix it," said US District Judge Timothy Kelly, during the sentencing hearing, which continued for four hours in the national capital.

A 33-year prison term was sought by the prosecutors for Tarrio, who was not present in Washington on January 6, 2021, but still faced accusation of leading the military-style assault on the Capitol which was carried out by members of the Proud Boys.

In May, the 39-year-old, along with various members of the Proud Boys, was convicted of seditious conspiracy and the roles they played in their attempt to halt congressional certification of the 2020 election victory clinched by Democrat Joe Biden over Donald Trump.

January 6 'was a national embarrassment': Tarrio

During the hearing, Tarrio said that the Capitol attack was a “national embarrassment” and expressed his remorse over the entire incident.

In a husky voice, filled with emotion, Tarrio said, “What happened on January 6 was a national embarrassment. I do not think what happened that day was acceptable. Regardless of who is to blame, I blame myself. I want to express how sorry I am for the events that occurred on January 6.”

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Pleading to US district judge Timothy Kelly, Tarrio further said, “Please show me mercy. I ask you that you not take my 40s from me.”

Last week, Judge Kelly pronounced an 18-year prison sentence to 32-year-old Ethan Nordean, another member of the Proud Boys. Meanwhile, the founder of another far-right militia Oath Keepers, which played a pivotal role in the Capitol siege, Stewart Rhodes, was also sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment.

(With inputs from agencies)

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