Edward Snowden , the former intelligence contractor and whistle-blower who leak a trove of classified National Security Agency closed book to journalist , never quite made it to Ecuador . His attempt to avoid extradition and prosecution by U.S. authorities reach a snag in Russia back in 2013 where he claimed political asylum and has been strand ever since .
Now , Snowden is making it official : He and his better half Lindsay Mills obtainedpermanent residencyin Russia last month and are now seeking dual citizenship with Russia and the U.S. , according to theWashington Post . In a tweet , Snowden explained that the replacement is n’t propel by any permutation of loyalty or desire to distance himself from the U.S. , but isinstead necessaryto ensure that he and Mills can raise their as - yet - unborn son .
Lindsay and I will remain Americans , raising our boy with all the value of the America we jazz — include the exemption to talk his head . And I look forward to the twenty-four hours I can bring back to the States , so the whole menage can be reunited .
Edward Snowden promoting his book at a 2019 video conference in Berlin.Photo: Jorg Carstensen/DPA/AFP (Getty Images)
— Edward Snowden ( @Snowden)November 1 , 2020
Almost all foreigner seeking Russian citizenship were previously required to relinquish their citizenship of other Nation , but the Russian governmenteliminated that requirementin May 2020 . For Snowden , his current status as a permanent occupier willgreatly simplifythe mental process .
grant to the Guardian , Snowden lawyer Anatoly Kucherenatold Interfaxthat “ Edward has expect me to wait on in filing his app for Russian citizenship … Edward has told me that their child is expected to be born in December ; look at that the babe will be entitled to Russian citizenship by the patrimony , he also wants to be a citizen of Russia . ”
Snowden is facingseveral felony chargesunder the Espionage Act in the U.S. for revealing numerous NSA domesticated surveillance programs , includingPRISM , illegal “ bulk collection”of Americans ’ phone record , as well as intelligence service - sharingagreementswith extraneous countries to elude legal limits on surveillance of U.S. citizen . The charge which the government hasalreadybrought against Snowden convey a meld maximum sentence of 30 year .
The odds of Snowden face visitation for the most part count on whether the U.S. has a chance to arrest him ; the U.S. intelligence residential district and federal authorities understandably still have a grudge against the whistleblower and reckon him one of their most treasured fleer . Last year , the Department of Justice successfully sued toconfiscate all profitsfrom gross revenue of Snowden ’s book , Permanent Record , because it was n’t crystallize by the CIA or NSA .
Donald Trump has floated the thought of pardoning Snowden . But the president seemsbroadly unfamiliarwith who Snowden is and he has more typically used his pardon power to spring his political allies .
Snowden has evinced no particular fancy for Russia beyond quips in his book that the inhuman weather condition and the accompanying heavy article of clothing allows for a high level of surreptitiousness , according to theNew York Times . He has said he sought asylumin 27 countries , of which Russia was not his first choice . Snowden also insist he put down all means of access to classify stuff before ever go forth Hong Kong and that he isn’t functioning with Russian intelligence service , as his U.S. critics have often aver .
In 2019,Snowden told NPRthat Russian security department personnel department had sought his quislingism when he first make it in the state , but that he decline any such arrangement and the only intellect the Russian government has protected him is because it ’s effectively innocent Commonwealth of Puerto Rico . ( It ’s not clear what intelligence economic value Snowden would still have left anyhow , as one of his basal trouble in Russia is being easilyrecognizablein public . )
“ You have to look at the canonical facts . If you look at my public presence … I ’m constantly criticise the Russian government ’s insurance , the Russian government ’s human rights record , even the Russian Chief Executive by name , ” Snowden evidence NPR . “ I had nothing to cater them . I have been criticize the Russian government . What more can I do to satisfy you or any of these critic ? There is nothing that will fulfill them … It is their mistrust of Russia . ”
“ … No one becomes a whistle-blower because they need to , ” Snowden added . “ No one becomes a whistleblower because it has a felicitous ending . ”
CybersecurityEdward SnowdenPrivacyRussiaSurveillanceTechnology
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