I wish him all the best. He's done many countries a great service. He inspired the search for truth and he made us realise that our politicians (and technology providers) are a bunch of disgusting LIARS.<p>I hope that he will be able to have a good life in Russia, in peace and security. And that his deed will inspire future whistleblowers.
It seems he accepted Putin's terms to not release anymore information. I wonder if that means no more information coming out, period, or that since most/all of the information is now with third parties that it's their responsibility. I doubt Putin likes being disrespected with loopholes and technicalities, but I more-so doubt that Snowden would halt the revelations altogether for the sake of his own safety. I suspect this was discussed and that Russian officials agreed to the continued release of what is no longer under Snowden's control.<p>Does anybody have any more information on that?
Well I think this is more to do with Russia thumbing it's nose at the US rather than protecting an individual from tyranny. But fair play to Snowden, it's good news for him. But If I were Snowden, I'd be quietly sneaking out of Russia very soon lest the political winds change and he suddenly finds he's a very valuable pawn in a very dangerous game that he can't win.
Good for Snowden that he is not homosexual or leaked "Gay propaganda" so he won't end up in jail in russia ... <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/opinion/russias-anti-gay-crackdown.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/opinion/russias-anti-gay-c...</a>
I'm Russian. This is done only to annoy the US. Russian gov-t has nothing to do with freedom of speech etc. It's just to tease the White House.
For now, Snowden stays in the airport says his lawyer. However, considering the tone of the statement it looks like he will soon receive one.<p><pre><code> cnnbrk: Lawyer: Snowden hasn't yet received document that
would allow him outside of Moscow airport.
</code></pre>
<a href="https://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/360047355329921025" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/360047355329921025</a>
So a few questions here:
1. Will he get KGB (or whatever the current equivalent is in Russia) protection?
2. Is this allowing him to leave just being done to make it easier for the US spooks to snatch him up?
3. Where does he go next? And how does he get there?
The situation is still evolving. The article has been updated since the initial HN posting and the title now reads 'Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now - lawyer'.
I wonder how much pay he would get as a sys admin in Russia. He might want to leave that bit about stealing secrets from his employer's client and leaking them to the world off his resume.
"Snowden's temporary asylum request is still undecided and he is to remain in Sheremetyevo airport's transit zone for now, Reuters is reporting, citing the whistleblower's lawyer."<p>Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/24/edward-snowden-moscow-airport-live" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/24/edward-snowden-m...</a>
Guess relations between Russia and the US aren't as important after all.<p>Always found it odd (possibly ironic?) that he left to countries infamous for not being well known for their love of free speech. Then again as one poster here put it, where else would he go that isn't as restrictive and doesn't have an extradition treaty with the U.S.?<p>Wonder if this will inspire whistle blowers in Russia now?
Live blog over here: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/24/edward-snowden-moscow-airport-live" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/24/edward-snowden-m...</a>
Fortunate for him he is not gay (as far as we know) as that's illegal in Russia and would prevent entry?<p>In any case I hope he stays safe and I thank him for his sacrifice.
There's an inch thick of delicious, buttery irony spread over a slice of Onion-tasting bread here. Asylum granted by a state that once sent 14 million people, primarily those who didn't agree with the authorities, into forced labor camps with millions meeting their deaths from malnutrition, exposure, and summary executions.. and which is still attempting to outlaw homosexuality.<p><i>Out of the frying pan, into the fire!</i>
I just want to point out that if Snowden would have been spying for Russia or China, he would not have any these problems. Countries don't return people who spy for them.<p>His knowledge is very likely still valuable and he could turn into traitor any day and Russia would take good care of him. He would get money, pension, citizenship and nice Datcha to live in. He is this predicament because he has not given up his principles.