Evan Neumann | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1972-06-22)June 22, 1972 (age 52) Santa Rosa, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Software Developer |
| Known for | Emigrating toBelarus |
Evan Neumann (born June 22, 1972) is an Americansoftware developer who left the US following his alleged activities during the2021 United States Capitol attack and was granted permanent refugee status inBelarus.
Fearing extradition by the Ukrainian authorities, he fled Ukraine for Belarus where he sought and obtainedpolitical asylum. Belarus does not have an extradition treaty with the US.[1]
Neumann was born on June 22, 1972, to father Claus Neumann, aSanta Rosa hotelier who owned the Los Robles Lodge and Hotel La Rose.[2][3]
Neumann lived inMill Valley before leaving for a Europe trip.[4] He works as a freelance software developer.[2]
He has been granted two patents from the USPTO since his departure from the United States and resettlement in Belarus.[5][6]
He has a brother named Mark.[7]
Neumann was arrested in 2018 when crossing police lines to access his mother's fire-damaged home inFountain Grove, California,[7] following theTubbs Fire.[2] He pleadedno contest at his subsequent trial[8] where he represented himself.[9] He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and two years probation.[8]
The US Justice Department stated that Neumann confronted police at the2021 United States Capitol attack and asked them: "I'm willing to die, are you?"[4] In 2022,NPR quoted the federalindictment against him: "he broke down barricades and used his fists and the metal object to strike officers. He allegedly assaulted at least four different officers over the course of several hours".[4]
Following the events of the day, Neumann left and traveled to several countries, and eventually toUkraine to escape allegedpolitical persecution by theFBI.[1]
In August 2021, Neumann was concerned that Ukrainian authorities were tracking him and he crossed into Belarus by foot nearPinsk[10] where he sought asylum, claiming he was facing "political persecution" in the US.[1]
In November 2021, he was interviewed on Belarusian state-owned television channelBelarus 1 and rejected the charges against him.[11][1]
On December 10, 2021, agrand jury indicted him for fourteen offences including assaulting a police officer, and violent entry.[12]
In March 2022, Neumann was granted asylum by theBelarusian government.[13] He is living inBrest.[1]