On August 15, local time, US President Trump stated that he would consider whether to pardon Edward Snowden, a former US defense contractor employee. Trump said at the press conference that he did not fully understand Snowden's situation, which seemed to be an issue of divergence. He will begin to think about related issues.

  According to a report from the Russian Satellite Network on the 17th, Anatoly Kucherena, a lawyer representing Snowden's interests in Russia, believes that all investigations into Edward Snowden, a former US defense contractor employee, should be stopped. Kucherena said, "Snowden disclosed that not only American citizens, but also other countries' civil rights and freedoms were grossly violated. There is no reason to say that he committed a crime. I think Trump said no. It should mean pardons, but requires all investigations that may be ongoing against Snowden to stop."

  In 2013, Snowden exposed through the media that the U.S. government had extensively monitored domestic and foreign calls and monitored Internet communications, which caused an uproar in the international community. The US government subsequently issued a wanted for Snowden on charges of espionage, theft, and unauthorized disclosure of defense and intelligence information. After that, Snowden was granted an asylum permit and lived in Russia for many years.

  (Editor Li Jiali)

Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]