Putin grants Russian citizenship to former NSA contractor turned whistleblower Edward Snowden

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden speaks live from Russia during the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal on November 4, 2019.

According to a decree translated by NBC News, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted citizenship to Edward Snowden.

Approximately 70 foreign nationals have been approved by Putin for Russian citizenship.

The former intelligence officer fled to Hong Kong and Russia to avoid prosecution for leaking classified information to journalists. He was granted permanent residency in Russia. Since he arrived in Russia, he has remained in the country.

More than 7,000 classified documents reveal the inner workings of a huge U.S. government spy operation. Intelligence officials have said that there are 1.7 million classified files.

The Washington Post and The Guardian reported on a spy program that monitored communications of criminals, potential terrorists and law-abiding citizens. The accounts show how Washington monitored some of America's closest allies.

He was accused of stealing U.S. government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information, and willful communication of classified communications intelligence. There is a prison sentence of up to 30 years for the charges.

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