International News

Edward Snowden applies for dual US-Russian citizenship

Sentinel Digital Desk

MOSCOW: Edward Snowden, the former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked classified documents on American surveillance programmes, has appliedfor a dual American-Russian citizenship.

"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," Xinhua news agency quoted Snowden as saying in a tweet on Monday.

"And I look forward to the day I can return to the States, so the whole family can be reunited," he added.

Last month, Snowden's lawyer had announced that the former NSA contracted obtained Russia's open-ended residence permit.

Earlier, Kucherena said that Snowden's residence permit was to expire on April 30, 2020, but was automatically extended till June 15 amid the coronavirus pandemic. (IANS)