Central Intelligence Agency whistle blower Edward Snowden is still facing charges from the United States government despite the public cry to bestow absolute and unconditional pardon to the human rights advocate.
If proven guilty of stealing government property and unauthorized communication of national defense information, as well conscious sharing of classified communications, the former CIA employee may spend 10 years behind the bars for each case filed in June 2013, MSN reported.
Dropped by Snowden, the massive internet and phone watch by US intelligence services, exploded on British and American dailies garnering the US authorities' public flak, TIME reported.
Hero Status
The American and international community, together with global human rights organizations, expressed gratitude and sympathy for Snowden and immediately backed the whistle blower by inking a plea to grant immediate and unconditional pardon to the Snowden. The total number of petitioners for Snowden's freedom reached 167,000.
While only 100,000 signatures are required by the government to acknowledge a formal request on its official petition website, the authority casted plea off. Lisa Monaco, the President's Advisor on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, said that Snowden's decision to disclose confidential data has a grave impact on the security of the state.
Monaco further assured the public that US President Barrack Obama is initiating reforms to create a balance between public protection and civil liberties.
Where is Snowden?
Snowden left his residence in Hawaii where he used to live with his girlfriend, and traveled to Hong Kong, before taking off to Moscow. He found his new home in Russia which does not have an extradition treaty with his former country.
Snowden spoke via video-link at a human rights event in London organized by Amnesty International. He calmly shared that the government improves if it is held accountable by the people to its actions.
The US government urges Snowden to return to the country and face trial.