Belarus has granted refugee status to 49-year-old Evan Neumann, a California man who is facing more than a dozen charges in connection to the Jan. 6 riots.
Belarusian state-run media confirmed the decision via Twitter on Tuesday, more than a year after Neumann fled to Europe from the United States. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency posted a photo of the suspect with immigration documents in hand.
“Today I have mixed feelings,” Neumann told BelTA on Tuesday, as reported by CNN. “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.”
He previously told the media he had settled in Ukraine, but decided to travel to Belarus after he suspected Ukrainian officials were tracking him. Once he arrived in Belarus, Nuemann filed for asylum, claiming he was facing “political persecution” in his home country. An immigration official in Brest said Nuemann’s refugee status was valid for “an indefinite period of time.”
In December 2021, Nuemann was indicted on 14 counts for his involvement in the Capitol riot. Those charges include violent entry, civil disorder, and assault of police officers; however, he insists he didn’t commit any crimes.
“One of the charges was very offensive; it alleges that I hit a police officer. It doesn’t have any grounds to it,” he previously told Belarus 1, according to the Associated Press. “It’s terrible. It is a political persecution, not a criminal investigation, but political persecution. I do not consider myself having inflicted any harm.”
More than 650 people have been charged for their alleged roles in the Jan. 6 riots, which aimed to overturn Joe Biden’s election win over former president Donald Trump. According to court documents, Nuemann allegedly threatened and shouted profanities at Capitol law enforcement while the riots took place. He is accused of striking two police officers; using a metal barrier as a battering ram; and telling an officer, “I’m willing to die, are you?”
Nuemann told Belarusian media he intends to relocate his family to the country, but the move was up to his wife.
“I have started a life here,” he said.
