NATO 3 protesters Jared Chase, Brian Church, Brent Betterly sentenced in Chicago

April 25, 2014 (CHICAGO)

Church was sentenced to five years, Chase was sentenced to eight years and Betterly was sentenced to six years.

Earlier on Friday, a judge denied their motion for a new trial.

Jurors acquitted all three men, known as the "NATO 3," of terrorism charges in February and convicted them on lesser counts of misdemeanor mob action and possession of an incendiary device to commit arson.

Chase, Church and Betterly each face up to 30 years in prison for mob action and being in possession of an incendiary device. Prosecutors are pushing for a 14-year sentence for each man, insisting they are dangerous.

But Chase's attorneys call the case a "terribly politicized prosecution." They suggest the terrorism charges tainted their client as a menace even though he was acquitted of those charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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