Russia President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted Russian citizenship to US whistleblower Edward Snowden, who shook the world more than 10 years ago by exposing massive surveillance by the US National Security Agency on Americans and then sought refuge in Russia, reports AFP.
A presidential decree published on Monday included Snowden on a list of newly-minted Russian citizens, when relations between Washington and Moscow are at historic lows over the conflict in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told news agencies that Snowden had received Russian citizenship as a result of his own request, made in 2020 to make it easier for his American wife Lindsay Mills to travel back and forth.
However, after he sought refuge in Russia, the US Justice Department filed a criminal complaint with three felony charges against Snowden that include theft of government property, disclosing crucial US defense information, and providing classified materials to unauthorized persons.
"Mr Snowden should return to the United States where he should face justice as any other American citizen would," said Price.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
