Posted on 07/13/2014 12:57:40 AM PDT by wetphoenix
Russia is expected to renew former National Security Agency contractor and leaker Edward Snowdens request for extended asylum because his life is endangered, according to a Russian government official.
I see no problem in prolonging the temporary asylum, Vladimir Volokh, head of an advisory body to Russias Federal Migration Service told the Interfax news agency Friday, according to Reuters. The circumstances have not changed. As before, Snowdens life is endangered so the FMS has grounds to extend his status.
Snowden was granted one year of asylum on Aug. 1, 2013 after leaking a cache of classified NSA intelligence documents to reporters, flying out of Hong Kong and landing Russia. After identifying Snowden as the leaker, the U.S. State Department canceled his passport, stranding him in Moscow.
The former contractors presence in Russia has exacerbated U.S.-Russia tensions, as the Justice Department has filed charges against Snowden for espionage and would like to try him at home. Snowden has himself stated on numerous occasions he would like to return, but does not believe he would receive a fair and open trial.
(RELATED: Pentagon Papers Leaker Daniel Ellsberg Defends Edward Snowden On Reddit)
Neither Snowdens Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena nor the FMS have released a comment confirming or denying Snowdens extended asylum status.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
To many people on both sides have said he caused a lot of damage.
Snowden has only told the truth....If you're alive, the government is spying on you.
Let's ask Angela Merkel to tell us more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.