Is Edward Snowden set to be given asylum by Europe? MEPs push EU to take in whistleblower – Express.co.uk

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Representatives from the European Parliament said the former NSA analyst had fulfilled a vital democratic role by leaking a series of hugely damaging intelligence documents and that he needed protection.

His disclosures in 2013 revealed for the first time the extent to which government agencies across the globe were spying on ordinary citizens and sparked a furious backlash.

Mr Snowden is currently living in exile in Russia but European politicians fear that the Mr Trumps cosy relationship with Vladimir Putin could put him in grave danger.

But their call for him to be granted asylum within the EU will surely enrage the White House administration and comes at a tricky time for relations between Brussels and Washington.

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The Republican has previously called the whistleblower a terrible traitor and called for his immediate incarceration, pointing out that in times gone by he would have been executed for his actions.

In July last year, before his shock election victory, the billionaire tycoon said: I think he's a total traitor and I would deal with him harshly. And if I were president, Putin would give him over."

The Presidents pick for Director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo, also described Mr Snowden as a traitor in a statement last month and called more directly for him to be put to death.

Reports have already emerged in US media that the Kremlin is considering sending the former data analyst back to the US, where he is likely to face a life sentence at the very least.

The activities of Mr Snowden have greatly helped US and European citizens to finally gain access to transparent information

MEPs' letter

Mr Putin is apparently considering handing him over as a gift to the new US President to curry favour with his administration, although Moscow has strongly denied the claims.

Brussels parliamentarians have also previously had their say on the issue, passing a resolution back in 2015 calling on Europe to protect Mr Snowden from Barack Obamas government, which was seeking his extradition.

It said member states should drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties, in recognition of his status as whistleblower and international human rights defender.

And now four influential left-wing MEPs have penned an open letter to European leaders calling on them to come good on the pledge and offer Mr Snowden asylum within the bloc in spite of American objections.

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It is believed that Julian Assange chooses to live in Sweden because the country's media laws are among the world's most protective for journalists

They wrote: On 24 January 2017, Mike Pompeo, Donald Trumps candidate for Director of the CIA, was sworn in by the US Senate.

In February 2016 the former congressman had called for the traitor Edward Snowden to be executed.

Donald Trump had expressed similar remarks in 2013, referring to Snowden as a terrible threat and terrible traitor and pointing out that there was a time when countries would execute those considered traitors.

The activities of Mr Snowden have greatly helped US and European citizens to finally gain access to transparent information a core element of democracy.

Given the gravity of the statements emanating from the USA and the worsening political climate surrounding the Snowden case, what steps will the Council of Ministers take in order to urge its members to respond to the recommendations enshrined in Parliaments resolution of 29 October 2015?

The letter was signed by Italys Barbara Spinelli, German Jan Philipp Albrecht, Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes and the British Labour partys Claude Moraes.

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Is Edward Snowden set to be given asylum by Europe? MEPs push EU to take in whistleblower - Express.co.uk