Former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the US National Security Agency (NSA) Edward Snowden, who received an indefinite residence permit (residence permit) in Russia, is not going to leave the country until the US authorities stop prosecuting him. This was announced to “Interfax” by his lawyer Anatoly Kucherena on Friday, October 23.
“Edward always misses his homeland, he told me about this many times. But he cannot go there, because all those criminal prosecutions that are voiced from all political tribunes are not closed, ”Kucherena said.
When asked how the upcoming presidential elections in the United States might affect the future of the American, the lawyer replied that the fate of Snowden “will definitely be affected by the end of his persecution, all speculations around his name.”
“It would be a boon for America if Snowden was recognized as a hero by US politicians. After all, the American people have long recognized him as a hero, ”said the defender.
According to Kucherena, after receiving a residence permit in Russia, a US citizen is going to “work, as he did, to do what he loves.” He added that “his wife is with him, he is all right.”
On the eve, the Russian migration services issued Snowden with an unlimited residence permit in Russia.
In June 2013, an ex-CIA officer handed over classified materials to the Guardian and The Washington Post newspapers with information about the comprehensive surveillance in 60 countries of more than a billion people by the governments of 35 states, programs of tracking British and American intelligence officers on the Internet, as well as surveillance USA for officials and citizens around the world using communication networks. After that, he hid for some time and eventually fled to Russia.
In August of the same year, he received temporary asylum in Russia, and a year later – a three-year residence permit. In 2017, the residence permit was extended until 2020. In the spring of this year, he applied for an extension of his residence permit for another three years.
At home, Snowden is accused of violating two articles of the espionage law, for each of which he faces up to ten years in prison.
In mid-August, US President Donald Trump announced his readiness to consider the possibility of pardoning a former NSA employee. According to the politician, many Americans are on the side of Snowden.