Edward Snowden, a former CIA contractor, leaked intelligence secrets in 2013. He later wrote a book and lectured several times about it.
(CNN) --
Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted former NSA contractor Edward Snowden Russian citizenship, according to an official decree posted Monday on the Russian government website.
Snowden, who has admitted to leaking information about US surveillance programs to the press, has been in Russia since 2013. He faces US espionage charges and up to 30 years in prison.
In November 2020 Snowden and his wife applied for Russian citizenship.
He had already been granted permanent residence in Russia.
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