(Precisions)
by Sarah N. Lynch
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Four members of the far-right group Oath Keepers were convicted by a jury on Monday of conspiracy to sedition, another victory for federal prosecutors in their bid to bring condemn those responsible for the assault on the Capitol.
This verdict marks the epilogue of the second major trial against members of the extremist group for their involvement in the deadly attack on the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021.
Thousands of supporters of former US President Donald Trump, then still a tenant of the White House, had invaded the Congress building with the objective of preventing the certification of the victory of Joe Biden in the presidential election in November 2020.
It is rare for federal prosecutors to indict suspects for seditious conspiracy, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
David Moerschel, Joseph Hackett, Roberto Minuta and Edward Vallejo will remain under house arrest until the verdict, the date of which has not yet been communicated.
The Oath Keepers are a group of extremist activists who believe the federal government is infringing on their rights. They strive to recruit first and foremost former and current members of the police, the army and the emergency services.
More than 950 people, including members of other far-right groups like the “Proud Boys,” have been charged by federal prosecutors for their part in the assault on the Capitol.
(Report Sarah N. Lynch; French version Jean Terzian)
