Putin Grants Russian Citizenship To NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden

Snowden, a former contractor for the NSA, has lived in Russia since 2013 to escape prosecution in the U.S. for leaking classified documents.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to former U.S. security contractor Edward Snowden, according to a decree signed Monday by the Russian leader.

Snowden is one of 75 foreign citizens listed by the decree as being granted Russian citizenship. The decree was published on an official government website.

Snowden, a former contractor with the U.S. National Security Agency, has been living in Russia since 2013 to escape prosecution in the U.S. after leaking classified documents detailing government surveillance programs.