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Former NSA Contractor to Apply for Citizenship in Russia

VOA News

   Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden said on
   Twitter Monday that he and his wife are applying for Russian
   citizenship, in addition to their American citizenship.

   Snowden, 37,also announced he andLindsay Millsare expecting a baby boy.

   "After years of separation from our parents, my wife and I have no
   desire to be separated from our son. That's why, in this era of
   pandemics and closed borders, we're applying for dual US-Russian
   citizenship."

     After years of separation from our parents, my wife and I have no
     desire to be separated from our son. That's why, in this era of
     pandemics and closed borders, we're applying for dual US-Russian
     citizenship. [1]https://t.co/cCgT0rr37e
     -- Edward Snowden (@Snowden) [2]November 1, 2020

   Snowden emphasized that the couple have no intention to renounce
   theirU.S. citizenship.

   "Lindsay and I will remain Americans, raising our son with all the
   values of the America we love-including the freedom to speak his mind.
   And I look forward to the day I can return to the States, so the whole
   family can be reunited."

     Lindsay and I will remain Americans, raising our son with all the
     values of the America we love--including the freedom to speak his
     mind. And I look forward to the day I can return to the States, so
     the whole family can be reunited.
     -- Edward Snowden (@Snowden) [3]November 1, 2020

   Snowden's tweet comes weeks after Moscow granted him permanent
   residency. Russiaalso has recentlychanged itsstrictlaws to allow
   individuals to holddualcitizenship,intheircountryof origin and Russian.

   Snowdenhas been living in exile in Russiasince2013,after he leaked
   information onU.S.Domestic and internationalsurveillanceprograms.

   Heis wanted in theUnited Stateson espionage chargesafter he copied and
   leaked secret files toThe Guardianand TheWashington
   Postnewspapers.Other major world newspapers picked up the story.

   U.S.Public opinion issplitwhether to pardon Snowden.

   Earlier this year, President Donald Trump said he would take aclose and
   careful look at the possibility ofpardoningSnowden,butno
   furthercomments have come fromTrump since.

   Days after Trump's statement,in an interview with The Associated
   Press,Attorney General William Barr said he would be "vehemently
   opposed" to any attempt to pardonSnowden.

   In 2015, then-president Barack Obamarejecteda petition to pardon
   Snowden.

References

   1. https://t.co/cCgT0rr37e
   2. https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1323024457645105153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   3. https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1323024757659439107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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