Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

Edward Snowden should return to US to face 'justice': State Dept

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 26 Sep 2022 23:41
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The US, through its State Department, is after whosoever exposes US foreign policies.

  • x
  • Edward Snowden. Source: GettyImages
    Former US intelligence contractor and whistle-blower Edward Snowden (GettyImages)

Former US intelligence contractor and whistle-blower Edward Snowden, who just obtained Russian citizenship, should return to the United States to face justice, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday.

"Our position has not changed. Mr. Snowden should return to the United States where he should face justice as any other American citizen would," Price said during a press briefing.

On her part, White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on Russia granting citizenship to former US intelligence contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden, which came at his request.

"Since, I believe, there have been criminal charges brought against him, we would point you to the Department of Justice for any specifics on this," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing.

Putin grants Snowden citizenship

Former US intelligence contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information on digital surveillance programs, received Russian citizenship, according to a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"In accordance with paragraph 'a' of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, I decide: to accept the following persons in the citizenship of the Russian Federation: Edward Joseph Snowden, born June 21, 1983, in the United States of America," the decree said.

On his part, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik that Russian citizenship was granted to Edward Snowden at his request, 

"Of course," Peskov said, answering the relevant question.

Related News

What is Netanyahu smoking? Araghchi slams Israeli influence over US

Pentagon official assessment shifted US focus from Ukraine to China

It is worth noting that Snowden did not serve in the Russian army, so he will not be called up for partial mobilization, Snowden's lawyer in Russia, Anatoly Kucherena, told Sputnik.

"He did not serve in the Russian army, therefore, according to our current legislation, he does not fall into this category of citizens, which is now called up. You know that now they are calling up reservists who have served and have the appropriate specialty. And then he will act according to the law, as everything is provided for in Russian legislation," Kucherena said.

Snowden's wife will also soon apply for Russian citizenship, Kucherena added.

According to the lawyer, Snowden's daughter, who was born in Russia, received Russian citizenship by birth.

Who is Snowden?

Snowden is a former US National Security Agency official who leaked details of US intelligence's extensive internet and phone surveillance to media outlets including The Washington Post and Britain’s The Guardian in early June 2013.

Simultaneously, Snowden left the US for Hong Kong and then to Russia where he was granted temporary asylum.

Then, Russia gave Snowden permission to remain in the country for three more years. Later, the permit was extended until 2020.

On March 18, 2021, Snowden's lawyer announced that the documents required for his client to obtain Russian citizenship were ready, expressing Snowden’s intention to submit them to concerned authorities as soon as possible.

The US charged Snowden with theft, "unauthorized communication of national defense information," and "willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person." The last two charges were filed in accordance with the 1917 Espionage Act.

It is worth noting that on January 20, 2021, the list of pardons signed by former US President Donald Trump before leaving the White House did not include Edward Snowden or Julian Assange -- the founder of WikiLeaks.

In short, both Snowden and Assange, who exposed many secrets and scandals about US policies, were not pardoned by Trump.

  • United States
  • Moscow
  • Russia
  • Washington
  • Edward Snowden
  • Ned Price

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS