Jan. 6 rioter who sought asylum in B.C. heading home, lawyer says

Vo has posted a photo of himself with his mother that he says was taken in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021; he is holding a flag and they are both smiling, and there’s no indication of violence or mayhem in the background.

The American man who fled to B.C. after being convicted for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in Washington, D.C., has headed home, according to his lawyer.

Antony Vo went back to the U.S. on Thursday morning, less than two weeks after President Donald Trump issued sweeping pardons for some 1,500 people involved in the riot.

“With the presidential pardon, Antony now has an unhindered future ahead of him,” said Robert Tibbo, Vo’s lawyer, in an email to CTV News.

The 33-year-old Indiana resident had been convicted of four misdemeanours in connection with the riot, including violent entry or conduct in a capitol building, but came to Canada rather than serving his nine-month jail sentence.

In an interview with CTV News earlier this month, Vo claimed he had been “politically persecuted” by the government of former President Joe Biden.

He was apprehended and placed in a Surrey detention centre after being deemed a flight risk, his lawyer said.

“I’m very happy for Antony now has his liberty once again,” said Tibbo. " Overall, this was a positive outcome for Antony though the loss of liberty, even for a short time, is an adverse experience that carries with a person for the rest of their lives.”

Tibbo said the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has issued an order making his client inadmissible to Canada for one year.