14 DAY TRIAL // Snowden’s father doesn’t believe his son would face a fair trial in the United States and thinks he’d be better off staying in Russia.
Lon Snowden has been supportive of his son’s actions so far, including the decision to seek political asylum in Russia, RT reports on an intervention the whistleblower's father had on Vesti Radio.
“The fact is no assurances have been made that he will be given a fair trial, that he deserves, or any citizen of this nation is given by our Constitution,” Lon Snowden said.
If returned to the United States, Snowden could end up maltreated in US custody, his father believes, citing the case of Bradley Manning.
“He was subjected to inhumane conditions. He was stripped of his clothes, kept for 23 hours a day in solitary confinement, his glasses were removed. I just don’t have a high level of trust in our justice system, not only because of what has happened to my son,” Lon Snowden said.
Furthermore, he believes that, while the asylum offers from Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia are great, Edward Snowden might be better off in Russia, a country that “has the strength and resolve and convictions to protect” him.
Lon Snowden hopes to soon be able to visit Russia to reunite with his son. He also states that the FBI has already tried to organize a meeting, but he refused their offer when they couldn’t guarantee their conversation could be conducted in private.
Edward Snowden has been in Russia for over a month, since he landed in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. Since his passport was revoked the second he landed, he's been unable to fly out to Havana, Cuba, as planned.
His final destination was supposed to be Ecuador, which has expressed its willingness to protect Snowden, but his asylum request could only be reviewed once he was on the country’s soil.
Left without other options, Snowden requested asylum in Russia and says he might leave for one of the South American countries that have already offered their help. Now, it seems that he could remain to live in Russia and could even apply for citizenship.