It looks like Edward Snowden has received a residence permit in Russia, which is valid for three years; and he has not asked for political asylum.
If Edward Snowden does one day travel back to the US, it's not going to be extradition, his lawyer assured. "No extradition is possible under Russian law," he said. "He has not committed any crime. He faces no charges in Russia."
Snowden's security in Russia is being ensured by a private firm, Kucherena said.
"He's without state protection and he can't possibly have it. To arrange state protection you have to go through many bureaucratic procedures."
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From Amnesty International:
The reports that Edward Snowden has been living in Russia with precarious "temporary leave to remain" rather than under any formal asylum protection is further evidence he must be allowed to travel to and seek asylum in the country of his choice, said Amnesty International today.
Russia's one-year permit for the whistleblower and former US intelligence analyst to stay in the country is now reported to have expired without confirmation that it will be extended.
"Edward Snowden is cornered in a legal limbo, without a passport or asylum protection from any government," said Sherif Elsayed-Ali, Deputy Director of Global Thematic Issues at Amnesty International.
States should fully consider any asylum application from Edward Snowden, taking into account the massive human rights violations that he exposed, and noting the US government's repressive actions against him.
(Score: 2) by hemocyanin on Friday August 08 2014, @02:34PM
I'll have to buy some Russian vodka.
(Score: 2) by bucc5062 on Friday August 08 2014, @06:21PM
Just the other day I was buying Vodka and I thought, no Russian Vodka for me those country invading bastards. Now they do this and I could say I'll take that Russian nectar please, look how the treated Snowden. Maybe better I buy good ol Made in the USA Vodka but then I look at the price...ffs...so I finally go with a good Swedish vodka as that is my SO's nationality.
Never thought buying vodka was going to be so political.
The more things change, the more they look the same
(Score: 2) by hemocyanin on Friday August 08 2014, @08:27PM
FTFYA
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Saturday August 09 2014, @03:33PM
What kind of oxymoron is that anyway? There's no such thing. Vodka has to be 40 deg alc., or it's not vodka [pravda.ru].
(pravda.ru)
(Score: 5, Insightful) by karmawhore on Friday August 08 2014, @03:06PM
=kw= lurkin' to please
(Score: 2) by ngarrang on Friday August 08 2014, @03:12PM
Edward is now one of the those famous people that are famous for being famous. They did something at one time that started the loop, but are now a useless flap of skin infecting the media. I cannot see anyone ever hiring him, because if they had anything to hide, they risk him exposing it.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by redneckmother on Friday August 08 2014, @03:29PM
If a govt could ever conduct itself honestly and lawfully, there would be nothing to expose.
Mas cerveza por favor.
(Score: 1) by Refugee from beyond on Friday August 08 2014, @03:32PM
He did something at one time that started the loop, now he is trying to survive.
Instantly better soylentnews: replace background on article and comment titles with #973131.
(Score: 1) by looorg on Friday August 08 2014, @04:00PM
I think they, the government, are quite happy with the current situation. Snowden managed to do an Assange and self-neutralize by locking himself in an area which he can't get out of. As soon as they leave they'll be arrested and if they choose to stay they are more or less lame ducks.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by tftp on Friday August 08 2014, @04:25PM
Generals are always preparing for the last war. It is obvious that Snowden's job was a one-shot affair. If he chooses to switch to a regular life of a common man, he can do so; another Snowden will take his place. But if he chooses to continue being active in the political arena... it's hardly illegal. Russia, when issuing him a one-year asylum, requested him to not harm the USA. This new permit probably doesn't come with such words; but besides, is it harm that Snowden did? Since when reporting a crime is harmful in an open, honest society? It harms only the crooks. Citizens are *required* to report crimes that they observe; and they should be able to report it to the highest authority in the land - to the people.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 08 2014, @05:02PM
> I think they, the government, are quite happy with the current situation. Snowden managed
> to do an Assange and self-neutralize by locking himself in an area which he can't get out of.
He "self-neutralized" the moment he handed over the only copies of the files to the reporters.
But he empowered others, and the Government Accountability Project says more are coming [go.com] and Schneier thinks we are now up to 3 leakers. [schneier.com]
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 08 2014, @04:15PM
Queue the trolls saying that the commie, fascist, nazi, socialist traitor needs to be hung for treason and fed a drone strike for breakfast, in 3, 2, 1...
(Score: 1) by grammarpolice on Friday August 08 2014, @07:48PM
"Cue"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 08 2014, @09:53PM
> "Cue"
No, "queue" as in "the line starts here."
(Score: 2) by Magic Oddball on Saturday August 09 2014, @05:24AM
It may have been what was intended by OP, but the normal phrase uses the word 'cue.' There's a ton of examples on the Web, but this one [englishforums.com] seemed most fitting:
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Saturday August 09 2014, @03:38PM
That obviously depends on whether a signal was meant or a round-robin/FIFO.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday August 08 2014, @04:56PM
I thought private firm security was expensive? who pays for all this? Otoh, Russian pride would certainly take a blow if he was secretly whisked away. So there's a kind of self interest involved too.
Perhaps his person is irrelevant at this stage but he still most likely have a lot of know-how. And the name has a meaning that most likely end up in the history books.
(Score: 1) by Username on Friday August 08 2014, @04:57PM
When Russia has the moral high ground.