WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden will address participants of the opening press conference for the “Pardon Snowden” campaign, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a press release on Tuesday.
“A campaign calling upon President Obama to pardon Edward Snowden before he leaves office will launch at a press conference in New York on Wednesday, September 14th. Speakers will include Edward Snowden by video from Moscow,” the release noted.
In 2013, Snowden revealed classified documents to reporters exposing the mass surveillance practices of the US government at home and abroad. Showden faces US charges of espionage and theft of government property that could land him in prison for up to 30 years.
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper released on Tuesday, Snowden argued that he should receive a pardon because his revelations of classified US intelligence programs were "vital" for the public understanding of their government.
In 2014, Snowden received a three-year residence permit from the Russian government. His lawyer Anatoly Kucherena called on Obama on Tuesday to pardon the whitleblower and prove his Nobel Peace Prize Award.
