I doubt this has anything to do with his condition in Russia. I think its timed very nicely to coincide public sentiment in the US. A movie about his courageous acts just won an Oscar. Hundreds of news stories brought to light by his efforts have outraged the US public over the last couple years. Him and his team might be running low on hard-hitting stories and would rather deal with an Obama DOJ than whatever comes next. If he wishes to turn himself in, the time to act is in the next 3-6 months before the 2016 primaries heat up.<p>If he returns to the US soon, we will see massive demonstrations in the street demanding his release. I doubt he'd end up serving more than a couple years in prison. Even then, life abroad is no doubt preferable to life in the federal pen. It's smart for him to be putting feelers out right now, but its still far from certain that he's coming stateside anytime soon.
I wouldn't be surprised if something else is happening. While his lawyer 'negotiates' look for snowden to turn up in a different extradition-free country.<p>I think he's too smart to believe any platitudes about a "fair trial." Of course it will be a fair trial, just like manning got along with his years of solitary - completely fair and normal.<p>As for a presidential pardon, I don't think that can happen without a conviction. Can you get a preemptive pardon?
"Fugitive ex-U.S. spy Snowden in talks on returning home: lawyer"<p>What a horrible, slanted, and incredibly unfactual title for this article.<p>Of course he's negotiating. Why not?
He probably stands a better shot of a deal with Obama, rather than whichever administration comes next. I think Hilary had a lot of egg on her face with the leaks (though using public email is her own fault!) and the Republicans would crucify him. I think it's now or never for him.
Does the president, alone, have the ability to pardon him outright?<p>Just thinking it certainly would be nice if Obama used that card on the way out given he's not up for re-election.<p>I suppose he has to be convicted first, but maybe he could convict him and pardon him on the same day!!
I'd be worried about staying in Moscow right now if I were Snowden. Whether true or not, Russian government is acting fully confident that Nemstov was killed as a false flag. If they get a little more angry about accusations the "CIA" might kill Snowden just to prove a point.
I'm guessing his situation in Russia has deteriorated to the point where a US prison is preferable to staying in Russia. I'd say best case for him is 10 years in jail. Because there is almost no question that he broke the law; he will be arguing intent and conscientiousness.<p>His chief demand will likely be that the government not charge him under the espionage act, which is so broad and inflexible it would not even allow him to present a defense. No idea what other legal statutes he could be charged under, but whatever they are would have to at least allow the possibility of raising the "I did this in the best interests of the country, not the best interests of our military contractors and bureaucrats" defense.<p>Oh, and also that the trial will be a media circus and keep the NSAs surveillance programs in the news for the greater part of the next decade.
The average American thinks an arrest is tantamount to guilt; one of many signs of this is that mugshots are made public here. Snowden should stay exiled.