U.S. President Barack Obama
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated his government will not bow
to pressure from the Obama Administration on requests to hand over NSA
whistle blower Edward Snowden. Putin stated, "We won’t behave
like many countries are behaving. We are an independent country and we
have an independent foreign policy and we will carry it out. I hope our
partners understand this and respond calmly."
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Snowden's attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, has communicated he is
concerned for his safety and "fears for his life." Kucherena
stated, "Of course he is afraid for his life and safety,
absolutely. He wrote this in his request for asylum and it is
understandable that he has grounds to be worried, quite substantial
grounds."
Edward Snowden
Kucherena further stated, "He explained his position very clearly - he said that he can't
go back to America because he is scared that he could be subjected to
torture there and that he could be subjected to capital punishment. He
explained that different statements from representatives of the State
Department of the US are blatantly filled with threats towards him, and
of course he decided to apply to the Federal Migration Service in
Russia because he understands that his life is in danger."
STORY SOURCE
Putin Warns U.S. Russia Won’t Back Down on
Snowden Asylum
July 17, 2013 11:26 AM ET - President Vladimir Putin warned the U.S.
that Russia won’t yield to pressure to hand over Edward Snowden,
while insisting he won’t allow the fugitive American to poison ties
between the former Cold War foes.
"We won’t behave like many countries are behaving,"
Putin told reporters in the Siberian city of Chita, a day after the
former U.S. security contractor bid for temporary asylum in Russia.
"We are an independent country and we have an independent foreign
policy and we will carry it out. I hope our partners understand this
and respond calmly."
Russia's President Vladimir Putin said, "We are an independent
country and we have an independent foreign policy and we will carry it
out. I hope our partners understand this and respond calmly."
