A January 6 Capitol riot defendant has fled to Canada, seeking political asylum to avoid a nine-month prison sentence.
At a Glance
- Antony Vo, convicted for participating in the January 6 Capitol riot, has applied for political asylum in Canada
- Vo claims he is a victim of “purely political persecution” and considers the Capitol riot a “peaceful protest”
- He is currently living in Canada with his mother, who also participated in the January 6 events
- Vo hopes for a pardon from Donald Trump if he returns to the presidency
- The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for apprehending Vo as a fugitive federal prisoner
Fleeing Justice or Escaping Persecution?
Antony Vo, a defendant in the January 6 Capitol riot case, has taken an unexpected turn in his legal journey by seeking political asylum in Canada. Vo, originally from Bloomington, Indiana, failed to report to prison to serve a nine-month sentence for his involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol. Instead, he crossed the border into Canada, where he is reportedly living with his mother, Annie Vo, who also participated in the January 6 events.
The U.S. Marshals Service is now tasked with apprehending Vo as a fugitive federal prisoner. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing efforts by the Justice Department and FBI to pursue those involved in the Capitol riot. According to the Justice Department, over 1,265 defendants have been charged across nearly all U.S. states and the District of Columbia in connection with the events of January 6, 2021.
Antony Vo has also applied for a role in Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency https://t.co/Rt8ZdcHhlD
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) December 30, 2024
Claims of Political Persecution
Vo’s asylum application in Canada is based on his claim that he is a victim of “purely political persecution.” He maintains that the Capitol riot was a “peaceful protest” and alleges it was part of a regime-change operation against then-President Donald Trump. This narrative stands in stark contrast to the official view of the events, as described by the Justice Department.
“The investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attack continues to move forward at an unprecedented speed and scale,” Justice Department said.
The Justice Department further stated that the rioters “disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of affirming the presidential election results.” This characterization underscores the gravity of the charges against Vo and other participants in the January 6 events.
Hope for a Presidential Pardon
Vo’s decision to seek asylum in Canada appears to be part of a broader strategy. He has expressed hope that Donald Trump will pardon him if Trump returns to the presidency. This belief is based on Trump’s pledges to pardon January 6 defendants. In an apparent move to position himself for such a scenario, Vo has even applied for a job with Trump’s transition team and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
The asylum-seeking Capitol riot defendant has not limited his efforts to Canada alone. Reports indicate that Vo has attempted to seek asylum in multiple countries, including Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador, Vietnam, Belarus, and Russia. He even considered the extreme measure of paramotoring to Cuba to seek asylum there. Despite these wide-ranging attempts, Vo claims that Canadians have been supportive and caring towards him during his stay in their country.
