A man who is wanted by the FBI in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is seeking asylum in Belarus, the country's state media reported on Monday.
Evan Neumann, 48, is wanted in the United States on several charges, including violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds and assaulting and resisting law enforcement during civil disorder, The Washington Post reports.
On Monday, Belarusian state media released a preview of an interview conducted with Neumann, with the presenter declaring that Neumann "sought justice and asked uncomfortable questions" and "lost almost everything and is being persecuted by the U.S. government." The Post reports that Neumann told state media a lawyer suggested he go to Europe before he could be added to the FBI's Most Wanted List, and after four months in Ukraine, he crossed into Belarus on foot. He also said he doesn't think he committed any crime.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, known as "Europe's last dictator," has accused the U.S. of encouraging protesters who marched against Lukashenko last year, accusing him of stealing the presidential election; most of the international community agrees the election was rigged in Lukashenko's favor. Thousands of protesters were arrested and beaten, with some saying they were tortured in prison.
Tim O'Connor, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Belarus that is based in Lithuania, told the Post in a statement that because of privacy laws, he was limited in what he could say about Neumann.
-
Why ‘anti-Islam’ bikers are guarding Gaza aid sitesIn The Spotlight Members of Infidels MC, who regard themselves as modern Crusaders, among private security guards at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites
-
China: Xi seeks to fill America’s voidFeature Trump’s tariffs are pushing nations eastward as Xi Jinping focuses on strengthening ties with global leaders
-
Rebrands: Bringing back the War DepartmentFeature Trump revives the Department of Defense’s former name
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government buildingSpeed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to USSpeed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU officesSpeed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping missionSpeed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peaceSpeed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest warSpeed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
