Edward Snowden, a former safety contractor who leaked paperwork about secret surveillance by the US Nationwide Safety Company after which fled to Russia, was granted Russian citizenship by president Vladimir Putin on Monday, in accordance with a report from Reuters.
After dwelling beneath asylum since 2013, Snowden was granted citizenship together with 71 different foreigners in a decree signed by Putin, the report mentioned.
Snowden, 39, hasn’t up to date his Twitter or Substack because the announcement.
Anatoly Kucherena, Snowden’s lawyer, did not instantly reply to a request for remark, however did inform Russian state-run information company RIA Novosti Monday that Snowden’s spouse, Lindsay Mills, can also be within the technique of making use of for Russian citizenship, in accordance with The Washington Submit.
Kucherena additionally instructed RIA Novosti that Snowden will not be referred to as into navy mobilization towards Ukraine as he by no means served within the Russian military.
US authorities have been searching for to have Snowden extradited again to his dwelling nation, however have met resistance from Russia. In 2017, then-CIA director Michael Morell reportedly advised Putin “present” Snowden to then president-elect Donald Trump, a suggestion that was not taken by Moscow. Russia doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the US.
The transfer by Putin might be seen as a method to antagonize the US as Russia continues its conflict towards Ukraine, a rustic being buoyed by billions of {dollars} in American weapons being despatched to Kyiv. America’s sturdy assist of Ukraine has been an issue for Russia, which has met disastrous outcomes on the battlefield, with as much as 80,000 Russian troops both killed or injured, in accordance with the Pentagon. Final week, Putin declared a draft, calling up 300,000 further Russian males with navy expertise, resulting in protest and turmoil inside the nation.
In August, Russia sentenced WNBA basketball participant Brittney Griner, a US citizen who additionally performs within the Russian Premier League, to 9 years in jail for possession of lower than a gram of cannabis oil.
The Division of Justice did not instantly reply to a request for remark.
