US whistleblower Edward Snowden’s father has secured documents to visit his son in Russia and plans to discuss how he could fight espionage charges, Lon Snowden and his attorney said on Sunday.
Neither Lon Snowden nor his attorney Bruce Fein has spoken directly with the former NSA analyst since he fled the United States and received asylum in Russia, they said. But the father and lawyer also said they look forward to meeting with Edward Snowden to consider options for the leaker to return to the United States at some point.
“As a father, I want my son to come home if I believe that the justice system ... is going to be applied correctly,” Lon Snowden said.
But the elder Snowden isn’t convinced his son would get a fair hearing in court, given what he called “absolutely irresponsible” descriptions of his son’s actions from President Barack Obama, his administration and top lawmakers from both parties.
“They have poisoned the well, so to speak, in terms of a potential jury pool,” said Lon Snowden.
Mr. Fein said the family is willing to discuss conditions under which Edward Snowden might return to the United States and perhaps face criminal proceedings.
Lon Snowden said the political outrage in Washington would fade and added “the American people are absolutely unhappy with what they’ve learned and more is going to be forthcoming.”
“Where my son chooses to live the rest of his life is going to be his decision. But I would like at some point in time for him to be able to come back to the US,” Lon Snowden said.
