Will Donald Trump Pardon Edward Snowden? Lawyer Hopes Trump Will Grant Clemency Against Former NSA Contractor Turned Whistleblower

Former NSA contractor turned whistleblower, Edward Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena Tuesday expressed hope that President Donald Trump may end Snowden’s exile through granting him clemency by dropping the case against him.

“We hope very much that the new U.S. president would show some weighted approach to the issue and make the one and only correct decision — to stop prosecution against Edward Snowden,” Kucherena was quoted saying to RIA Novosti, according to Russia Today, while adding that his client loves and misses his home country.

"The way I see it, he [Donald Trump] would gain far more authority if he saw to it all insinuations about Edward Snowden were brought to an end," Kucherena said as quoted by TASS news agency while adding that during Trump’s predecessor's tenure, the case was extremely politicized.

Kucherena also noted that although Russian officials recently extended Snowden’s residence permit till 2020, the chances of naturalization will be ruled out because Russian citizenship would take at least five more years.

"Under the existing Russian legislation, if he wishes so, he can apply for getting the citizenship after the elapse of five years. So far, this term has not yet expired and it is premature to speak about this. This issue is within his competence and precisely he will decide on whether to extend his residence permit or raise the issue of obtaining the Russian citizenship," the lawyer said.

Snowden’s other legal representative, Wolfgang Kaleck, a German lawyer had recently asked European Nations during a hearing at the European Parliament to open its arms to the exiled whistleblower by emphasizing that the 1,000-year sentence Edward could face in the U.S. is “against all European standards.” His request came after former President Barack Obama refused to pardon Snowden.

“We think the European Union member states have the obligation to support him,” Kaleck said while adding that “we’re not desperate,” referring to the extension of his residence permit in Russia. He cited Spain, Iceland and Germany as potential havens for Snowden.

Snowden who has been charged under two articles of the spying law and been called a traitor uncovered electronic spying methods being used by U.S. secret services, including the tapping of telephones of foreign leaders, has been in exile in Russia since August 1, 2014.