NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden speaks live from Russia during the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal on November 4, 2019. WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin granted citizenship on Monday to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, according to a decree translated by NBC News. Snowden's name appears as one of approximately 70 foreign nationals approved by Putin for Russian citizenship. The former NSA intelligence officer turned U.S. government whistleblower, fled to Hong Kong and later to Russia in to evade federal prosecution after leaking classified documents to journalists. Snowden was charged with theft of U.S. government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence.

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