<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Proud Boys' former leader has been jailed for 22 years for orchestrating the US Capitol riot, the longest sentence so far for a ringleader of the raid on the seat of American democracy.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Henry "Enrique" Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy, a US Civil War-era charge, and other counts in May.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tarrio, 39, was not in Washington during the riot, but helped organise the far-right group's involvement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More than 1,100 people have been arrested on Capitol riot charges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before he learned his fate on Tuesday, an emotional Tarrio apologised to police and residents of Washington DC for his role in the 6 January 2021 riot, when supporters of then-US President Donald Trump stormed the congressional building as lawmakers met to certify Joe Biden's election victory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I am extremely ashamed and disappointed that they were caused grief and suffering," he told Washington's federal courthouse. "I will have to live with that shame for the rest of my life."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tarrio, wearing an orange jail uniform, added: "I was my own worst enemy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"My hubris convinced me that I was a victim and targeted unfairly."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Acknowledging that Mr Trump had lost the November 2020 presidential election, Tarrio said: "I am not a political zealot. Inflicting harm or changing the results of the election was not my goal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I didn't think it was even possible to change the results of the election."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Please show me mercy," Tarrio asked the judge. "I ask you that you not take my 40s from me."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At one point earlier, he could be seen wiping tears from his eyes as his mother asked the judge for leniency.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tarrio was national chairman of the Proud Boys. Founded in New York City in 2016, members of the far-right group have described themselves as an all-male drinking club.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They regarded themselves as Mr Trump's foot soldiers and were often involved in street clashes with far-left anti-fascist activists.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tarrio's lawyer argued in court on Tuesday that his client was a "keyboard ninja" and "misguided patriot" who tended to "talk trash", but had no intention of overthrowing the government.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, US District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump nominee, noted that Tarrio had on many previous occasions expressed no remorse for his actions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Seditious conspiracy is a serious offence," said Judge Kelly. "Mr Tarrio was the ultimate leader of that conspiracy."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tarrio was also found guilty in May of obstruction and conspiracy charges, civil disorder and destruction of government property.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prosecutors had called his actions "a calculated act of terrorism", meriting a sentence of 33 years in prison. The defence wanted no more than 15 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tarrio stood silently as the judge handed down the penalty. As he left court, Tarrio waved to his family members in the public gallery and flashed a peace sign.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His lawyers said he plans to appeal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Tarrio and other Proud Boys had posted threatening messages online, warning of violence and unrest if Mr Trump left office.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was stopped by police two days before the US Capitol riot as he entered Washington DC. BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>