US Capitol riot suspect granted refugee status in Belarus

The California man got suspected of taking part in the US Capitol riot. He got an asylum in Belarus. Evan Neumann has charges for connection with the riots. The 48-year-old initially settled in Ukraine.

This was before he reached Belarus. He asked for asylum, pointing out that he faced “political persecution”.A Belarusian official claimed that Neumann got permission to remain in the country.

Though this was indefinite. State officials also discussed that Neumann forcibly crossed the Belarusian border. This was after attracting “local secret services” in Ukraine. Neumann stated Belarusian state-owned news agency, Belta. The statement proclaimed that he had “mixed feelings”.

He stated, “I am glad Belarus took care of me. I am upset to find myself in a situation where I have problems in my own country.”

Neumann got charges with six different counts. This included violent entry and assaulting police officers. He has an accusation of punching two police officers. The accusation also included using a metal barrier as a “battering ram” against police.

According to Neumann, he already sold his house and traveled across Europe.

Mr. Neumann said that he crossed the border into Belarus on foot in August. Belarus does not have an extradition treaty with the US. Mr. Neumann also gave an interview to Belarusian state TV. He rejected the charges against him.

He said that he did not believe that he did a crime. Also, he further added that the accusations were depressing. He was seeking “government protection” from Belarus. This was so because he faced “political persecution” in the US Capitol riot.

A video got released by Belta. It also talked about the confirmation of the refugee status of Mr. Neumann. The status confirmation was by an immigration official and Brest police migration directorate, Yuryy Brazinski. The official said that he would eventually entitle to apply for citizenship.

He was now under the complete protection of the Republic of Belarus. Neumann is among more than 650 people charged in the US Capitol riot. Neumann now wishes to start a new life in Belarus. He also plans to move his family.

Credits: BBC