Post date: Dec 16, 2013 11:40:11 PM
White House says fugitive former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden should be returned to the United States.
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 16, 2013) (NBC) - White House spokesman Jay Carney dismissed the suggestion on Monday (December 16) that the United States could grant amnesty to former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden if he were to turn over the documents in his possession.
"There has been no change in our position, he has been charged and accused of leaking classified information and he faces felony charges here and he ought to be returned to the United States," Carney told reporters."Again, where he will face full due process and protection under our system of justice, that we hope he will avail himself. We are obviously pressing the Russians and others on that issue."
Documents leaked by Snowden have revealed details of widespread surveillance by the NSA and ignited a furor over the agency's spying. Snowden has been granted temporary asylum by Russia.
In response to a question about the delayed nomination of the U.S. delegation which will head to the Sochi 2014 Winter Games in February in Russia, Carney said he did not have any updates.
The concern was raised when number of world leaders including French President Francois Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck said they would not attend the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia's Sochi.
The decision to hold the Winter Olympics in Russia has been criticized due to concerns about human rights abuses and a law passed in June that bans "gay propaganda" which critics say discriminates against homosexuals.