Fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor, who has been in a political asylum Russia, says that he is ready to come back to the United States if promised to be given a fair trial. His legal counsel stated on Tuesday that Snowden has agreed to return the US and face the trial on his case.
Snowden was given political asylum on summer 2013 in Russia since the US revoked his passport. He lives a reclusive life in Russia at present time, according to MSN News.
According to Anatoly Kucherena, his Russian lawyer who represents Snowden, his client wanted to return to the states and he has a desire to come back.
"He is thinking about it. He has a desire to return and we are doing everything we can to make it happen," explained Kucherena.
Snowden remained in Russia because he leaked thousands of classified data to the media while he was working as a contractor for the consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton.
Kucherena disclosed that as of today, Snowden has received a guarantee from Attorney General Eric Holder that he will not be facing death penalty conviction. Snowden also wants to be guaranteed of a fair and impartial trial, CNN reports.
According to Snowden's lawyer, he is given freedom to travel outside of Russia now under a three year Russian residency permit however he believes that when that happens, he will be taken immediately to a United States Embassy the moment he leaves Russia.
"With a group of lawyers from other countries, we are working on the question of his return to America," Kucherena said.