Proud Boys convicted over Capitol riot

Five members of the far-right militia group the Proud Boys have been convicted for their roles in the 6 January 2021, attack on the U.S Capitol.

Former leader Enrique Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy, along with other members, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl. A fifth member, Dominic Pezzola, was acquitted of seditious conspiracy. All five were found guilty of other felonies including obstructing an official proceeding, conspiring to impede Congress from performing its duties and obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder.

Prosecutors told the court that the defendants purchased paramilitary gear and called on members of the "Western chauvinist group" to go to Washington.

However, defense lawyers claimed that they had no plans to attack the Capitol and were just there to protest.

All of the defendants except Tarrio entered the Capitol that day. Tarrio was ordered by a judge to stay out of Washington that day, following an arrest for for burning a Black Lives Matter banner at a church. Prosecutors claimed he helped to direct the attack from Baltimore.

So far, 600 people have been convicted for their roles in the events of January 6.

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