Edward Snowden applies for Russian citizenship, without renouncing his US citizenship
Former CIA and NSA Edward Snowden took refuge in Russia after leaking confidential documents on mass surveillance in the United States in 2013. PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
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The whistleblower fled his country in 2013 after making public tens of thousands of documents belonging to the American intelligence services.
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With our correspondent in Moscow
,
Daniel Vallot
Installed in Russia where he took refuge seven years ago, the former consultant affirms that he wishes to acquire the nationality of his host country, without giving up his American nationality.
It was on Twitter that the former NSA consultant announced that he had started the process to obtain Russian nationality.
A few days ago, the wife of Edward Snowden Lindsay Mills had made another announcement: that of the birth, in the coming months, of their first child.
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.
https://t.co/cCgT0rr37e
Edward Snowden (@Snowden) November 1, 2020
“
After years of separation from our parents
,” explains Edward Snowden, “
we have no intention of being separated from our son.
This is why in this period of pandemic and closed borders, we are asking for dual nationality.
The whistleblower, who faces up to 30 years in prison in his country, says he wants to bring up his son in accordance with "
the American values we love, including freedom of expression
."
Deprived of US passport since 2013
In October, Edward Snowden's Russian lawyer announced that his client now had an
indefinite residence permit
in Russia.
Deprived of an American passport since 2013, and wanted by the justice of his country, the former consultant had fled to Hong Kong and found himself stranded in Moscow while he intended to find refuge in Latin America.
Edward Snowden says he is ready to return to the United States for trial.
On condition, he said, to be assured that he will be able to benefit from a fair trial.
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