Capitol riots suspect seeks asylum in Belarus, state media say
A man wanted by the FBI in connection with the Jan.6 riot on Capitol Hill is seeking asylum in Belarus, state media reported on Monday.
Evan Neumann, 48, is wanted in the United States on several counts, including violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds and assault and resistance to law enforcement during civil unrest , The Washington Post reports.
On Monday, Belarusian state media published a preview of an interview with Neumann, with the anchor saying that Neumann “has demanded justice and asked uncomfortable questions” and “has lost almost everything and is being persecuted by the US government.” The To post reports that Neumann told state media that a lawyer suggested he travel to Europe before he could be added to the FBI’s most wanted list, and after four months in Ukraine he entered Belarus walk. He also said he did not believe he had committed a crime.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, known as “Europe’s last dictator”, accused the United States of encouraging protesters who marched against Lukashenko last year, accusing him of stealing the presidential election; most of the international community agrees that the election was rigged in Lukashenko’s favor. Thousands of protesters have been arrested and beaten, some claiming to have been tortured in prison.
Tim O’Connor, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Belarus based in Lithuania, told the To post in a statement that due to privacy laws he was limited in what he could say about Neumann.