Russia grants two year extension of visa to ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden

Former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden is once again in the news - he has been granted permission to remain in Russia for another couple of years. He has been living in exile in Russia since 2013, where he ended up after spending weeks in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
He was initially granted permission to stay in Russia for one year amid the rapid deterioration in Moscow's relations with Washington. With the extension granted now, Snowden can apply for a Russian passport next year. As indicated by his lawyer Anatoly Kucherena, the resident permit of Snowden is now valid until 2020.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 18 January 2017.

It may be recalled that Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor, had released details of the extent of the US spying operation, including details of operations against friendly governments. Then, fearing reprisal, he left the US and sought asylum in Russia in 2013 which he got.
He had not applied for a pardon from President Barack Obama, who has taken a decision to commute the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning - he was jailed for 35 years for leaking classified material to Wikileaks. Manning was in prison and had expressed remorse. Hence, his pardon.
But, Snowden did not apply for clemency himself. In the opinion of his supporters, he should be treated as a whistleblower and not as a criminal. The White House, however, feels that his case was totally different as compared to Manning's because Snowden has not apologized for his crimes while Manning did.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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