BERLIN, November 18. /Offset. TASS Anton Dolgunov/. President Barack Obama declined to comment on account of the possible pardon of former U.S. intelligence agent Edward Snowden, because no court handed down a guilty verdict. The head of the Washington administration, said in an interview with German weekly Der Spiegel, which is published on Friday.
“I can’t pardon someone not convicted. I will not comment on this now,” said the occupant of the White house, responding to a question.
According to him, the concerns expressed by Snowden to some extent justified. “However, he did not comply with the rules adopted by our intelligence agencies. And if everyone will do as he wants, it will be difficult to properly conduct the Affairs of state and maintain system security,” Obama said.
“If Mr. Snowden decides to stand trial, and his lawyers will present their arguments, these questions will play a role,” vaguely expressed by the American President.
Edward Snowden was working as an analyst for the NSA in 2013, made public information on how electronic surveillance of U.S. intelligence, including about the illegal wiretap of negotiations of foreign leaders. Escaping from persecution by the US authorities, Snowden has sent requests for asylum to the authorities, more than 20 countries, including Russia. 1 Aug 2014 he has got a residence permit in Russia for three years and has since been in Russia.
In the US, Snowden is charged with violating two articles of the espionage act. For each of the charges he faces up to 10 years in prison.
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