Russia: Putin rewarded American whistleblower Snowden for giving intelligence, granted Russian citizenship
Snowden, 39, is accused of leaking secret US NSA files to Russia. For this, he was fleeing America and taking refuge in Russia. Now Russia has granted him Russian citizenship after nine years.
Abhilasha 
Russian President Vladimir Putin rewarded former US intelligence agent Edward Snowden for providing information on covert surveillance operations by the National Security Agency (NSA) on monday. Russia has granted him Russian citizenship after nine years. Snowden, 39, took refuge in Russia after fleeing the US amid allegations of leaking secret files.
Now it's difficult to return to America
Edward had exposed the vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the NSA where he worked. That's why American officials wanted him for years to return to the United States to face criminal trial on espionage charges. According to the news agency Reuters, there was no immediate reaction from Snowden.
Received citizenship on a decree of Putin
Let us tell you that there has been no statement from the Russian government on this. According to the information, Snowden's name has appeared in the list of 72 foreign-origin persons with only one decree of Putin to be granted citizenship. Simultaneously, Snowden's wife Lindsay Mills will also apply for citizenship. Russia granted Snowden the right of permanent residence in 2020, paving the way for him to obtain Russian citizenship.
