I suppose it was inevitable that some of the Trump supporters charged in the attack on our Capitol would seek asylum overseas. These people are already pre-disposed to victimhood, and so it makes sense that some would see their prosecution–for harming law enforcement officers, threatening government workers, disrupting an election, damaging federal property, and trespassing–as a form of persecution.
Also, there are plenty of governments around the world that want to harm our country by sowing division and encouraging further violence. And so it’s hardly surprising that certain nations would be only too happy to offer asylum to the Capitol rioters, as a way to stick it to the United States.
We now have our first (known) example of a Capitol rioter seeking asylum abroad. Evan Neumann is wanted in the U.S. on charges of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds, and for assaulting, resisting and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder. He has fled to Belarus and applied for asylum. It would be easy to mock Mr. Neumann and the “Republic” of Belarus, but here, I want to discuss whether Mr. Neumann might qualify for asylum under international law. (more…)