Snowden, 33, the former intelligence contractor with the US National Security Agency (NSA) would be offered due process of law on return, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday, adding that President Barack Obama continues to believe that he has done harm to the national security interest of the US.
"The first is that Mr Snowden has been charged with serious crimes and it is the policy of the administration that Mr Snowden should return to the US and face those charges. He, of course, will be afforded due process and there are mechanisms in our criminal justice system to ensure that he is treated fairly and consistent with the law. That is what the President believes.
"There are mechanisms that Mr Snowden could have availed himself of, if he had concerns about information that he had access to, to communicate this information more responsibly and address some of the policy concerns that he purports to have.
"But the impact of his actions, because of the way he chose to disclose this information, did harm our national security. The President said that on a number of occasions, and his assessment of that situation has not changed," Earnest said.
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"Obviously there is a process that people can go through in requesting a pardon. But right now, Mr Snowden has not been convicted of crimes with regard to this particular situation, but he is charged with various crimes.
"It is the view of the administration and certainly the view of the President that he should return to the US and face those charges, even as he enjoys the protection of due process and other rights that are afforded to American citizens who are charged with serious crimes," Earnest added.
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