President Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to former US security contractor Edward Snowden, according to a decree signed by the Russian leader on Monday.
Massive public outrage ensued moments after news of President Vladimir Putin granting Russian citizenship to former United States security contractor Edward Snowden came to light. According to a decree signed by the Russian leader and published on an official government website, Snowed is one of the 75 foreign nationals given citizenship.
Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has been hiding in Russia since 2013 to avoid prosecution in his home country for disclosing secret papers describing secret government surveillance initiatives.
He was granted permanent residency in 2020 and said he planned to apply for Russian citizenship without renouncing his US citizenship.
An American woman named Lindsay Mills, who has been living with Snowden in Russia, will also be asking for a Russian passport, according to the former contractor's attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, who spoke to RIA Novosti, the Russian government's official news agency. A child was born to the couple in December 2020.
In 2019, Snowden, who has maintained a low profile while living in Russia and has occasionally criticised Russian government policies on social media, stated that he would be happy to return to the United States if a fair trial could be ensured. He hasn't offered any comment on receiving Russian citizenship.
Meanwhile, Twitter exploded moments after news of Snowden's Russian citizenship emerged.
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"He's always been a Russian asset," stated one user. Another one mocked the development saying, "Congrats, Edward. You're a Russian citizen. Here's your gun, you're off to Ukraine."
Investigative journalist Dave Troy said, "It's time for us to come to grips with the fact that the Snowden, Greenwald, Assange ops were all part of a years-long Russia-supported effort to upend the West."
Journalist and author Glenn Greenwald noted, "When Snowden left Hong Kong and landed in Moscow to transit to Latin America, Obama officials like @brhodes did everything possible to prevent him from leaving, to trap him in Russia. Rhodes boasted of it in his book. Ever since, they've use this to imply he's a Russian agent."
Here's a look at some of the reactions on the micro-blogging site:
“Congrats, Edward, “Here’s your
you’re a Russian gun, you’re
citizen now! off to Ukraine!” https://t.co/z1bd6WrmvN pic.twitter.com/PE74R0jlrc
He’s always been a Russian asset. https://t.co/KqTkRUGHNl
— Vakaviti (@vakaviti)It’s time for us to come to grips with the fact that the Snowden, Greenwald, Assange ops were all part of a years-long Russia-supported effort to upend the West.
— Dave Troy (@davetroy)When Snowden left Hong Kong and landed in Moscow to transit to Latin America, Obama officials like did everything possible to prevent him from leaving, to trap him in Russia.
Rhodes boasted of it in his book.
Ever since, they've use this to imply he's a Russian agent. https://t.co/PzGY9pi7tY
Reminder that Snowden handed over IP addresses being targeted by US intelligence to a foreign adversary in 2013 (China) and now he's a full-blown citizen of another adversary (Russia) in 2022.https://t.co/DkD5pqdy1q
A true patriot. Congrats, Ed! https://t.co/3chTENAUJW
Putin has granted Edward Snowden Russian Citizenship. Let the Games begin!!! 🔥🔥🔥😂😂😂
It's no longer Russia vs Ukraine, but it's now Russia vs USA. WW3 Loading!!! 🤞 pic.twitter.com/hQmWKQz4RY
Yes, the mobilization has scooped up lots of men without the legally mandated training/experience, but Snowden to this point isn’t registered anywhere with Russia’s draft board. He’s now 39, so I don’t think he’s required to register for “srochnaya” service. He’s also too public.
— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock)Edward Snowden is no longer an Asylum Seeker in Russia… he has been given full Russian Citizenship. The so-called “Human Rights gods” of this world are after him because he exposed their hypocrisy . They are doing the same to Julian Assange who exposed US War Crimes.
— 𝑲𝒖𝒅𝒛𝒂𝒊 𝑴𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒊 (@KMutisi)Edward Snowden is now a citizen of Russia.
Do you believe he's a traitor NOW??
Those who seek to cancel Russia out using the should take note. Edward Snowden has received Russian citizenship. Russia no matter the media propaganda is always ahead. After the referendum, the land bridge to Crimea will be perfected. pic.twitter.com/J6GxkfkCY8
— Arafrika Sankara (@arafrika)This is Putin stirring the pot an ya’ll got stuck in some thick soup. I’m sorry but Snowden’s over there for showing everyone that there basic rights were being violated. An the us gov wants him in jail for letting us know what the us gov was up to, Ergo why he’s even in Russia!!
— Darren Balfe 🇺🇦 (@beefybalfe)Snowden should have been pardoned and treated as a hero for exposing illegal US spying on Americans. Russia was never his plan or motivation. A sign of the times where truth tellers are treated as villains.
— Steve- Orwell was right. (@abetterworld98)One hopes he can contribute to the generous agreement he has with Russia. and Steven Seagal and Gerard Depardieu... https://t.co/b8iECikYlT
— Jaanus Damsgard 🇺🇸🇪🇪 (@Jondazzle)Edward Snowden formally becomes a citizen.
"Killing during an unhinged religious war against Ukraine" is certainly a more interesting cause of death than "alcohol abuse" or """accident""" that takes most of our defectors in Russia. https://t.co/zDb34zbx5t
Snowden now a citizen of Russia https://t.co/MBSUnQeDZG
— Queen Elizacat I 🌻 (@natasha367b)Good. now can enlist to the Russian military and go to the front lines and fight like a man. Also, please stay in Russia. We really don’t need you here in the USA. https://t.co/hAIpqp8RwN
— Jake Goldi (@ubersec)When Edward Snowden finds out Putin gave him citizenship only to draft his coward azz to fight for Russia pic.twitter.com/BtAiHpPw3p
— Lynx 💛 (@LustrousLynx)As men get out of Russia any way they can to avoid being sent to Ukraine, Putin has added one more man by granting citizenship to Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked US classified documents. Snowden has been living in Russia since 2013.
— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet)Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden.
However as Snowden hasn’t served in the Russian army, he will not eligible for mobilisation in Ukraine, Russian media report. pic.twitter.com/6ZumEsWVcs
Question: Are you going to fight for Russia in their brutal war in ? You're a Russian now. Are you going to murder old women and children? https://t.co/LBWG8TRxCN
— Eric Grant (@ericgrant)Laugh all u want, but when this guy joins Snowden at the front it will be checkmate Russia. pic.twitter.com/tECrP2tjL3
— Dal Riata Capital (@ReganCoda)Citizen Snowden’s Russia: 🇷🇺👮🏻♀️ https://t.co/rrCOS4t3bk pic.twitter.com/x89dvlE4ii
— Queen Elizacat I 🌻 (@natasha367b)