Russian President Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin - Russian politician.

Born on October 7, 1952 in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg. Today he signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to the former employee of the US National Security Agency, Edward Snowden, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.

Snowden, 39, left the U.S. and was granted asylum in Russia after the 2013 leak of classified files that revealed the agency had conducted extensive national and international electronic surveillance operations.

Snowden is wanted by the US for providing the media with tens of thousands of documents proving the extent of Washington's electronic surveillance, according to AFP.

US authorities have for years wanted Snowden extradited to the US to stand trial on espionage charges. 

The US is suing Edward Snowden over breach of confidentiality agreements

Vladimir Putin

citizenship

Edward Snowden