Russia gives Snowden permanent residency rights

Russia has granted US whistleblower Edward Snowden permanent residency rights, his lawyer said yesterday, a step towards Russian citizenship if he wants it. Snowden, 37, fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013 that revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the US National Security Agency where he was a contractor. US authorities have for years wanted Snowden returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges brought in 2013.  

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