“This is the harshest sentence to date” issued against one of the participants in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, notes wall street magazine. Stuart Rhodes, founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison for “mutiny”.
Federal Judge Amit Mehta justified the severity of the verdict on Stuart Rhodes, a 58-year-old ex-serviceman’s leadership role in the attack on Congressional headquarters, and his lack of remorse. “You represent a constant threat and danger to the country”the magistrate said.
With a black eyepatch, Stewart Rhodes kept the same speech to American justice to the end: according to him, “Oathkeepers came to Washington only as bodyguards to protect Republican figures” during a demonstration in front of the Capitol emphasizes washington post.
If a far-right leader remained outside of Congress on D-Day, prosecutors were able to demonstrate that he was indeed directing his troops by radio. “like a general on the battlefield”. Prosecutors say Rhodes also played a key role in the attack, for months amplifying Donald Trump’s allegations that Joe Biden stole the election results and urging his supporters to “prepare for armed rebellion” AND “bloody civil war”note washington post.
Seditious conspiracies
For Texas Tribunethis “the conviction is a decisive victory for prosecutors who for decades were reluctant to prosecute the insurgent conspiracy after a series of humiliating white nationalist acquittals in the 1980s and 1990s.”
Another Oathkeeper leader, Kelly Meggs, who led the Florida chapter of the militia, was also convicted of sedition on Thursday and sentenced to 12 years in prison. FoxNews. A total of ten far-right activists – six members Oathkeepers and four Proud Boys – were found guilty of “mutiny” after three separate trials in Washington.
These beliefs could “send a message to right-wing extremists with anti-government leanings by showing them how serious the courts are about the case” their actions, emphasizes Voice. “It says very clearly that this kind of action is unacceptable, that political violence is not an acceptable option.”said far-right researcher Stephen Piggott in an interview with the American website. “The fact of imprisonment […] one of the inspirations for January 6 is a major victory for the federal government.”he added.
“However, it remains to be seen how long Rhodes will remain in jail”note mother jones which recalls that Trump said he was ready to pardon “big party” convicted of crimes related to January 6, if elected in 2024.
Source: Courrier International
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