Man sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to assassinate Trump

A man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in Florida.

According to prosecutors, Ryan Routh hid for hours in the bushes on a golf course in West Palm Beach in September 2024 with a semi-automatic rifle, waiting for an opportunity to shoot the then-Republican candidate.

The jury found him guilty of five criminal charges, including attempted murder.

Prosecutors argued that Routh had planned the attack for months, used false names, and was prepared to kill anyone who stood in his way. Judge Aileen Cannon accepted their recommendation for a life sentence.

Routh, who represented himself during the trial, denied intending to kill Trump and asked for a more lenient sentence.

The case became one of two serious security incidents ahead of the 2024 election, after which Trump returned to the White House.

(reuters, pir)