This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4z7zyl0gwo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Proud Boys sue US government for $100m over Jan 6 prosecutions Proud Boys sue US government for $100m over Jan 6 prosecutions
(about 16 hours later)
The five were convicted in relation to the 6 January 2021 riots, where supporters of Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in protest of Joe Biden's 2020 win. The five were convicted in relation to the 6 January 2021 riots, where supporters of Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in protest of Joe Biden's 2020 win
Five leaders of far-right group the Proud Boys, who were convicted in connection to the 6 January, 2021 Capitol riot, have sued the US government for $100 million (£74m), claiming that their rights were violated during their prosecution. Five leaders of far-right group the Proud Boys, who were convicted in connection with the 6 January, 2021 Capitol riot, have sued the US government for $100 million (£74m), claiming their rights were violated during their prosecution.
The five were convicted of plotting and taking part in the riot to overturn President Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election. Trump pardoned or commuted their sentences earlier this year. The five were convicted of plotting and taking part in the riot to overturn US President Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election. Trump pardoned or commuted their sentences earlier this year.
The lawsuit, filed in Florida on Friday, claims FBI agents and prosecutors were motivated by personal biases when prosecuting their cases.The lawsuit, filed in Florida on Friday, claims FBI agents and prosecutors were motivated by personal biases when prosecuting their cases.
They argue their constitutional rights were trampled on "to punish and oppress political allies" of Trump.They argue their constitutional rights were trampled on "to punish and oppress political allies" of Trump.
The lawsuit was filed by Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.The lawsuit was filed by Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.
Tarrio was found guilty of plotting the 2021 attack on the US Capitol, which happened as lawmakers were certifying former President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison, the longest out of the five. Tarrio was found guilty of plotting the 2021 attack on the US Capitol, which happened as lawmakers were certifying former US President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison, the longest among the five.
He was formally convicted of seditious conspiracy, a rarely used charge of planning to overthrow the government, and multiple other counts.He was formally convicted of seditious conspiracy, a rarely used charge of planning to overthrow the government, and multiple other counts.
The other four leaders faced similar charges, and were also sentenced to time behind bars.The other four leaders faced similar charges, and were also sentenced to time behind bars.
Their convictions were overturned by Trump, who issued approximately 1,500 pardons of people involved in the Capitol riot in January, on the day of his inauguration. They were given clemency by Trump, who issued approximately 1,500 pardons of people involved in the Capitol riot the day he was inaugurated in January.
"These people have been destroyed," Trump said after signing their pardons. "What they've done to these people is outrageous. There's rarely been anything like it in the history of our country.""These people have been destroyed," Trump said after signing their pardons. "What they've done to these people is outrageous. There's rarely been anything like it in the history of our country."
The lawsuit filed on Friday alleges the five leaders of the Proud Boys were subject to "egregious and systemic abuse of the legal system". It accuses prosecutors of engaging in instances of "evidence tampering" and "witness intimidation".The lawsuit filed on Friday alleges the five leaders of the Proud Boys were subject to "egregious and systemic abuse of the legal system". It accuses prosecutors of engaging in instances of "evidence tampering" and "witness intimidation".
It also alleges that their prosecution was "corrupt and politically motivated." It also alleges that their prosecution was "corrupt and politically motivated".
The lawsuit was filed against the Department of Justice, which is currently operating under the Trump administration and is run by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The lawsuit was filed against the US Department of Justice, which is currently operating under the Trump administration and is run by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The BBC has reached out to the Justice Department for comment. The BBC has approached the Justice Department for comment.
According to figures released by the department in January, approximately 1,583 defendants have been charged with crimes associated with the Capitol riot. Approximately 1,583 defendants have been charged with crimes associated with the Capitol riot, according to figures released by the department in January.
More than 600 were charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing law enforcement, including around 175 charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. More than 600 were charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing law enforcement officers, including around 175 charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury.
Capitol Police officers were attacked by rioters with weapons including metal batons, wooden planks, flagpoles, fire extinguishers and pepper spray.Capitol Police officers were attacked by rioters with weapons including metal batons, wooden planks, flagpoles, fire extinguishers and pepper spray.
Many lawmakers had condemned the riot, while Trump has described it as a "day of love".Many lawmakers had condemned the riot, while Trump has described it as a "day of love".
His pardons of those convicted have been criticised by Democratic lawmakers as an attempt to re-write history.His pardons of those convicted have been criticised by Democratic lawmakers as an attempt to re-write history.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who was among the lawmakers forced to flee during the riot, called the pardons "an outrageous insult to our justice system". Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was among politicians forced to flee during the riot, called the pardons "an outrageous insult to our justice system".