Vladimir Putin grants full Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden

Russian President Vladimir Putin granted full Russian citizenship to U. S. whistleblower Edward Snowden on Monday.

Snowden, 39, fled the United States to Russia after revealing information about extensive surveillance operations being conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). He is now a Russian citizen by presidential decree, Reuters reported Monday.

The announcement comes roughly two years after Russia granted Snowden permanent residency in the country.

The country first granted Snowden asylum in 2014 and has since resisted calls to extradite him to the U. S. Snowden faces espionage charges that could land him in prison for up to 30 years in the U.S.

Strategic intelligence expert and author of "Putin’s Playbook" Rebekah Koffler says the move likely signals Snowden working more closely with the Russian government. She says he is likely now subject to Putin's mobilization order, but will be assisting Russian intelligence rather than serving on the front lines.

"While before, Snowden was willingly providing help to Russian intelligence, as of today, he will be directed to do exactly what the Russian government and military want him to do," Koffler told Fox News Digital in an email.... (Read more)

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