Eric Holder says Edward Snowden won’t face the death penalty, Lon Snowden thinks his son is better off in Russia
US Attorney General Eric Holder has assured the Russian government that if NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden was returned to the United States, he would not be tortured or face the death penalty, according to a Bloomberg report Friday.
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The reports notes that in addition to not seeking the death penalty, he assured the Russians that Snowden wouldn’t be compelled to answer questions and would be allowed representation by an attorney and a public trial.
“We believe that these assurances eliminate the asserted grounds for Mr. Snowden’s claim that he should be treated as a refugee or granted asylum, temporary or otherwise,” Holder wrote in the letter, addressed to Russian Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov.
Edward Snowden has been living in the Moscow airport since June 23 since leaving Hong Kong.
In another report Friday, Lon Snowden, father of the former NSA contractor, said his son has been so vilified by the Obama administration and members of Congress that he is now better off staying in Russia.
But in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, the elder Snowden said he has lost faith in recent weeks that his son would be treated fairly by the Justice Department. He now thinks his 30-year-old son is better off avoiding the U.S. if possible until an administration that respects the Constitution comes into office.
“If it were me, knowing what I know now, and listening to advice of sage people like (Pentagon Papers leaker) Daniel Ellsberg … I would attempt to find a safe haven,” Snowden said.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has already proposed boycotting the 2014 Olympics in Russia and to consider a new site for the G20 summit scheduled in St. Petersburg, over the possibility of Russia granting temporary asylum for Snowden.
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