Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to former US intelligence officer Edward Snowden. The decree of the head of the Russian Federation is published on the portal of legal information:
“In accordance with paragraph “a” of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, I decide: to accept the citizenship of the Russian Federation of the following persons: Edward Joseph Snowden, born on June 21, 1983 in the United States of America.”
Dmitry Peskov, the president’s press secretary, specified that Russian citizenship was granted to Snowden at his request. Then, Anatoly Kucherena, a lawyer for the former intelligence officer, says his wife will also apply for Russian citizenship. The lawyer also claims that Snowden is not subject to partial mobilization, since he did not serve in the Russian army, writes RIA News.
However, it seems to say edition Meduza that Kucherena was mistaken in believing that Russians of foreign origin do not fall into the reserve. Director of the human rights group “Citizen. Army. Right” Sergey Krivenko told the publication that the Federal Law “On Military Duty and Military Service” obliges the majority of male citizens of the Russian Federation to register for military service, with rare exceptions. This means that naturalized citizens are also required to register with the military immediately after receiving citizenship – even Edward Snowden.
A person is obliged to appear at the military registration and enlistment office and undergo a medical examination to determine the category of suitability. If he is not fit and has category D, he will not be registered. But if he is fit and suitable for his age, he should be given a military ID and enrolled in the reserve. According to the law “On mobilization training and mobilization in the Russian Federation”, during mobilization, any citizen who is in the reserve and does not have the right to deferment can be called up.
Recall that in 2013, Edward Snowden initiated an international scandal by handing over classified materials to the Washington Post and the Guardian about the surveillance programs of the US and British intelligence services on the Internet.
After that, he flew to Hong Kong, and then to Moscow, where he spent some time in the transit zone of Sheremetyevo Airport. After refusals from other countries, Russia granted Snowden temporary asylum for a year, but on the condition that he cease his activities against the United States.
A year later, Snowden received a 3-year residence permit, with which he could travel around Russia and abroad. Subsequently, he received an indefinite residence permit. In November 2020, Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena announced his intention to obtain Russian citizenship.
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