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Snowden and NSA leaks

Lawyer claims US never formally requested to extradite Snowden

Snowden, a civil employee of the NSA, disclosed electronic spying methods being used by US secret services, including the tapping of telephones of foreign leaders

© AP Photo/Juliet Linderman

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Russia has not received any requests from the United States yet for the extradition of former CIA employee Edward Snowden, his lawyer Anatoly Kucherena has told TASS.

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Edward Snowden may get Russian citizenship in coming years — lawyer

"No charges have been brought against Snowden to this day. Russia has received no extradition requests," he said.

Kucherena is certain that US President Donald Trump will make the correct decision regarding Snowden.

"We all hope that the United States’ new president will take a balanced approach to this matter and make the sole decision that is correct - to terminate criminal prosecution of Edward Snowden, a man who loves America and misses it."

"The way I see it, he [Donald Trump - TASS] would gain far more authority if he saw to it all insinuations about Edward Snowden were brought to an end," Kucherena stated, adding that throughout the Obama presidency the case remained invariably politicized.

Snowden should decide himself whether he needs to get Russian citizenship, Kucherena stressed:

Read also

Kremlin knows nothing about Snowden’s intentions

"Under the existing Russian legislation, if he wishes so, he can apply for getting the citizenship after the elapse of five years. So far, this term has not yet expired and it is premature to speak about this. This issue is within his competence and precisely he will decide on whether to extend his residence permit or raise the issue of obtaining the Russian citizenship," the lawyer said.

Snowden, a civil employee of the National Security Agency, in 2013 disclosed electronic spying methods being used by US secret services, including the tapping of telephones of foreign leaders. In his attempts to escape persecution by the US authorities Snowden asked more than 20 countries, including Russia, for political asylum. On August 1, 2014 he was granted a residence permit and has remained in Russian territory since.

In the United States Snowden is charged under two articles of the spying law. Each of the charges is punishable with a maximum of ten years in prison. US Administration officials have said more than once they regarded Snowden as a traitor and had no intention of forgiving him, because he caused serious harm to national security.

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