Snowden Granted Extension of Asylum for 3 years with Right to Travel Abroad

Yay!

Snowden granted asylum extension for 3 years. With the right to travel abroad.

I am very happy about this. A great day for freedom and TRUTH.

I have to say, well done Russia. For having the gumption when all the rest didn't. Thank you!

www.bbc.co.uk...

Russia has granted fugitive US whistleblower Edward Snowden permission to stay three more years with the right to travel abroad, his lawyer says.

His year-long leave to stay in Russia had expired on 31 July.

Mr Snowden fled the US in 2013 after leaking details of the National Security Agency's surveillance and telephone-tapping operations.

The US has charged him with theft of government property and communicating classified information.

Mr Snowden's lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told journalists that the request for an extension had been accepted.

"Accordingly, Edward Snowden was given a three-year residence permit," which will allow him to move about freely and travel abroad, Mr Kucherena said.

I wonder if Hong Kong is on his destination now.

a reply to: theabsolutetruth

MODS please move to the Breaking News Forum if more appropriate, thank you.

a reply to: theabsolutetruth

Putin is like a honey badger.
When it comes to the opinion of the US Government, He just Don't Care!

If Snowden reads ATS, I have one tip...

DON'T FLY MALAYSIAN AIRLINES!

a reply to: the owlbear

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole Russian sanctions thing is an engineered US plan and all about Snowden.

Absolutely.

Avoid flying Malaysia airlines. When you do fly, make sure you are wearing some contact lenses (iris tech), some spray on face prosthetic and a wig.

Great news

I'm guessing he'll still be very secretive a long time rather than take the Henry Hill approach
who spent a lot of his later days in public despite being wanted by the mob.
Different guy and different mob, similar scenario.

As one of the few Americans living in Russia I hope to cross paths with him one day! Proud of my host country and sometimes wish they would extend me the same offer (but I suppose I have nothing to offer in return)

The most interesting thing about the OP is the part where he can travel internationally. I am sure the US would LOVE to see him take a trip outside the Russian border! Accidents happen all the time...you never know when the elevator you are riding in will plummet to the basement or you somehow get a dose of.....lets say Polonium in your drink! Maybe the light switch you turn on makes your room explode from a "gas leak". Accidents happen all the time, its a dangerous world.

Yep, the US would love to see Snowden take a (insert dramatic pause/dramatic musical score here) vacation.....

a reply to: theabsolutetruth

great day for freedom and TRUTH.

I have to say, well done Russia. For having the gumption when all the rest didn't. Thank you!

I'm pretty sure that what Russia is doing has nothing to do with freedom and TRUTH but rather playing a covert cat and mouse game with other agendas.

Already figured it would be extended .. Russia thumbing its nose at the u.s ..
Meanwhile the game goes on ....

a reply to: theabsolutetruth

Yes! Glad he was granted an extension.

I don't care who is thumbing their noses at who with this, Snowden provided the entire planet with a great service and he deserves better than being disappeared by a vengeful government who is still angry their crimes were exposed.

Hopefully he'll stay in Russia for a while and not try to fly somewhere or the US will probably force another plane down in their attempt at revenge.

a reply to: interupt42

That's always a consideration, obviously and most probably at least part of it.

However, Russia didn't need to allow asylum or residency and Snowden didn't have many choices left.

Russia saved a good guy, that's a good thing.

a reply to: Bassago

Exactly.

I hope he keeps safe, wherever he is and travel wisefly if he does so at all.

a reply to: theabsolutetruth

Russia saved a good guy, that's a good thing.

A good spy you mean? Why would Russia kick out their mole? Not unless there is a fair trade with spies held in US custody. This is all largely a great Russian play. The story is as old as time. Unfortunately for the Kremlin it hasn't amounted to much in the US. His next power play in the Ukraine will probably end badly. Hopefully we can hold them off long enough to get rid of the towering ineptitude that is Obama.

V

originally posted by: the owlbear
a reply to: theabsolutetruth


If Snowden reads ATS, I have one tip...

DON'T FLY MALAYSIAN AIRLINES!

Why?

What's wrong with MALAYCIAN AIRLINES?

a reply to: Psynic

Somebody or something appears not to like them perhaps? Recent stats?

originally posted by: theabsolutetruth
a reply to: interupt42

That's always a consideration, obviously and most probably at least part of it.

However, Russia didn't need to allow asylum or residency and Snowden didn't have many choices left.

Russia saved a good guy, that's a good thing.

I'm not so sure that Snowden is a good guy in the sense of being a whistle blower with the right intentions? Was Snowden tasked by the US to intentionally leak the documents which to this day have had minimal impact.

Was his task to purposely release intel in order to be portrayed as a bad guy in hopes of the bad guys wanting to pick him up as a plant? So yes he might have been a good American working for the US Gov't but not in the sense of being whistle blower.

The information that as been released hasn't been really anything breathtaking as plenty regular smoes were aware of the spying that was going on.

I will give you this and to which I found to be the most interesting thing so far into the Snowden case. At first nobody wanted to take in Snowden not even the so called members of the Axis of Evil then Russia comes along and offers to take him. The real interesting part to me was that Putin said he would take him with one condition. That condition was that Snowden not release any information that would be harmful towards the US.

Now a few possible reasons for Putin to have placed that condition could be because:
1. Putin needs a US favor.
2. Or the US and Russia (China and other superpower) are really controlled by the same people/agenda.

Option 2 I find interesting: If Snowden was a true whistleblower not in cooperation with the US Gov't whatsoever and he did catch the US by surprise than I can see where Russia would jump in and give that condition if they are in cahoots with the US. It would make sense for Russia to go into damage control mode just in case Snowden did have some really sensitive information that neither the US or the superpowers wanted released.

In support of Option 2 I also find it interesting that military computer chips that are manufactured in China are also utilized by the superpowers: China,Russia,and even the US.

Food for thought.

a reply to: interupt42

I am obviously aware of the contention surrounding Snowden being a good guy but IMO he is, he took a risk for the sake of good and it was a major deal when the main issues were revealed.

There is more that is yet to be said, perhaps waiting for a safer /better time/opportunity.

I guess Russia was playing it safe and gave those conditions as it wasn't doing it for the sake of provocation.

a reply to: Variable

A good spy you mean? Why would Russia kick out their mole?

Oh please give us a break. Parroting the delusional musings and rumors from those high up in the Pentagon is rather weak. You know the ones who even suggested they would like to have him killed.

Got any evidence Snowden is a Russian mole? Anything?