US whistleblower granted Russian citizenship

United States whistleblower Edward Snowden, who revealed extensive spying by the US National Security Agency and was given asylum by Moscow, was given Russian citizenship on Monday by President Vladimir Putin.

At a time when relations between Washington and Moscow are at an all-time low over the conflict in Ukraine, a presidential decree released on Monday listed Edward Joseph Snowden, born on June 21, 1983, among those who had just become Russian citizens.

Whistleblower Snowden, who is now on the run, stated in November 2020 that he had applied for Russian citizenship but that he would like to maintain his US status.

After disclosing in 2013 that the US government was spying on its citizens, the former American intelligence contractor fled to Russia, where he has been living in exile ever since.

Moscow's rigorous citizenship requirements were loosened a few years ago to allow people to hold Russian passports without giving up their native countries.

Anatoly Kucherena, Snowden's attorney, informed the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that Snowden's wife Lindsay Mills will now also apply for Russian citizenship and that their daughter already had a Russian passport because she was born there.

Kucherena stated that Snowden would not be called up to serve since he had no prior experience in the Russian army after Putin indicated last week that Russian men will be mobilised to assist in the army's struggle in Ukraine.

In the meantime, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, informed news organisations that Snowden had obtained Russian citizenship at his own request.

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