Edward Snowden , the United States ’ most notorious surveillance whistle-blower , now holds a Russian passport . In exchange for the document , Snowden , see both a nationalist and a traitor in the U.S. depending on who you involve , has reportedly sworn an oath of allegiance to the Russian United States Department of State .
The former NSA contractor ’s lawyer , Anatoly Kucheren , reportedly confirmed the exchange in an interview with Russian country culture medium TASS . The surprising turn of events fare around two month after Russian chairwoman Vladimir Putin unexpectedlygranted Snowden Russian citizenship . Lindsay Mills , Snowden ’s wife who flee with him to Russia follow his NSA revelations in 2013 , is also currently applying for Russian citizenship .
“ Yes , he receive a passport , ” Kucheren order . “ He took the oath . ”
Photo: Phillip Faraone (Getty Images)
Individuals who take that expletive of loyalty , according toThe Washington Post , are required to “ protect the freedom and independence of the Russian Federation , to be fast to Russia , [ and ] to respect its culture , history and traditions . ” Those may sound like major concessions , but Snowden ’s lawyer says they are deserving it because she believe they should legally prevent Snowden from being deport to the United States . Snowden still faces charge in the U.S. for allegedly assault the Espionage Act .
“ He [ Snowden ] is , of course , felicitous , thanking the Russian Federation for the fact that he incur citizenship , ” Kucheren say allot to The Post . “ And most significantly , under the Constitution of Russia , he can no longer be extradited to a foreign nation . ”
Snowden himself did not directly comment on the story .
most 10 years have passed since Snowden blew the palpebra off the NSA ’s vast domestic and international spying apparatus . Those escape kick back off an outside manhunt that led Snowden to seek asylum in 27 different nation . Eventually , Snowden landed in Russia . Since then , Snowden has worked , usually on the other end of a video call screen , as a civil liberties exponent , engineer , andcriticof the U.S. national security agencies . During that time , the whistle blower ’ relationship with the Russian state was tenuous and complicated . Though Snowden has spokencriticallyabout the Russian state and Putin on affair , his part as possibly one of the U.S ’ highest profile fugitive made him a particularly valuable tool for Russia .
Snowden has maintained he would render to the U.S. if give the opportunity to face a fair test . Though Snowden and many of his friend keep his NSA revelation understandably benefited the public , the Espionage Act under which he ’s chargedreportedlyprevents defendants from argue their actions were made in the public interest . That effectual dead end reportedly led Snowden to look for a presidential pardon , first from Barack Obama and then subsequently from Donald Trump . The latter appeared to signal some interest in that melodic theme , tellingthe New York Post he conceive Snowden was , “ not being treated fair . ”
Supportive or not , Trump ultimately lost the presidential race in 2020 . Seeing his options regarding a amnesty wither away , Snowden in public announced he was hold for dual U.S./Russian citizenship in the interest of maintain his familial life .
“ After age of separation from our parent , my wife and I have no desire to be separated from our SONS , ” Snowden write on Twitter . “ After two years of waiting and nearly ten years of exile , a little stability will make a difference for my class . ”
After years of breakup from our parents , my married woman and I have no desire to be divide from our SONS .
After two years of waiting and almost ten years of deportation , a small constancy will make a difference for my family line . I pray for privacy for them — and for us all.https://t.co/24NUK21TAopic.twitter.com/qLfp47uzZ4
— Edward Snowden ( @Snowden)September 26 , 2022
Still , the pass and citizenship approval comes during one of the bleakest moments in Russia ’s recent story . The country continue to mesh in a war with Ukraine that has left it isolated from most of the international residential area . During that time , right groups haveaccusedRussia of taking part in warfare offence andescalatingfears of likely nuclear conflict .
Barack ObamaDonald TrumpEdward SnowdenFilmssnowden
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