Father Describes Snowden As 'Modern Day Paul Revere' In Open Letter
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- The father of admitted NSA leaker, Edward Snowden, applauds his son in an open letter.
Christie Ileto has the latest on the drama swirling around the man who grew up in Maryland.
In a letter WJZ obtained Wednesday, D.C. attorney Bruce Fein and Lon Snowden openly write to admitted NSA leaker, Edward Snowden.
His father applauds Edward's actions, saying: "What you have done and are doing has awakened congressional oversight of the intelligence community from deep slumber."
Further writing: "You are a modern day Paul Revere, summoning the American people to confront the growing danger of tyranny and one branch government.
Snowden is charged with espionage after he admittedly leaked information about a government surveillance program. The Maryland native now seeks asylum in multiple countries, while he hides out in Russia.
Authorities even closed off air space Wednesday because they thought he may have been on board the president of Bolivia's flight. Turns out, he wasn't.
This week, Russia's foreign minister contends they won't hand Snowden over.
"Not his portfolio, and so it wasn't discussed," said John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State.
Snowden issued a statement through WikiLeaks earlier this week, slamming the president's camp for leaving him "stateless" and revoking his passport.
WikiLeaks says they're providing him with money and support.
"Our legal team, of course, has, for obvious reasons, rather good knowledge of extradition affairs, and we have acted as go betweeners," a WikiLeaks representative said.
But lawmakers are calling for justice.
"I want to get him caught and brought back for trial," a lawmaker said.
Snowden's father and attorney are trying to arrange for his return to the U.S. with the guarantee that he would have both fair trial and treatment.
Lon Snowden wrote the letter, frustrated by his inability to reach out to his son directly.
Edward Snowden is laying low in the transit zone of the Moscow airport, where he's been for almost two weeks.
Snowden recently declined an asylum offer to stay in Russia.
President Vladimir Putin says the only way Snowden can stay in Russia is if he stops leaking secret information.
