Is there a deal in works to get Snowden back to U.S.?
A Russian lawyer for Edward Snowden says he's working with U.S. counterparts on a deal that would return the National Security Agency leaker to the United States.
Lawyer Anatoly Kucherena told reporters in Moscow that Snowden "wants to return back home. And we are doing everything possible now to solve this issue. There is a group of U.S. lawyers, there is also a group of German lawyers and I'm dealing with it on the Russian side."
U.S. officials declined to discuss whether a Snowden deal is in the works.
"There's been no change in our position: Mr. Snowden is accused of leaking classified information and faces felony charges here in the United States," said Ned Price, a spokesman for President Obama's National Security Council. "He should be returned to the U.S. as soon as possible, where he will be accorded full due process."
Russia granted asylum to Snowden in 2013, and he has been there ever since.
"The United States wants Snowden to stand trial for leaking extensive secrets of electronic surveillance programs by the National Security Agency (NSA). Russia has repeatedly refused to extradite him. ...
"A deeply divisive figure, he is praised by some as a civil rights campaigner and whistleblower and condemned by others as a traitor who compromised U.S. security. Kucherena said in August Snowden had been given a three-year Russian residence permit."