NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden seeks official pardon

A new campaign urging US President Barack Obama to pardon the National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden has been launched by his legal team.

The effort has support from the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as several prominent figures from the technology industry.

Snowden has been living in asylum in Russia since he disclosed a vast amount of secret information to The Guardian newspaper in 2013.

Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds explains.

[tsurumikutaro]

He found few support around the world, he sacrificed his life for the good of humanity but unfortunately people are too selfish to stand for a noble person like you Mister Snowdon all my prayers and sympathy are with you.

[chrsjnkns]

It would set a bad example / precedent in the minds of the national intelligence agencies. I don't think it'll happen.

[dziankolack]

Was his crime "revealing" the fact that all online activities are monitored? That's nothing new to me. I'm just a high-schooler with a computer.

[MRTAKEYOGIRL.]

When you finally realise your country after all its shortcomings is still the best and 1000 times better than your adopted home 😂 Putin's rubble and economy is sinking is under pressure to leave

[martinoberrauch]

Nsa würde schon passn zu ihnen Herr snowden vieleicht kommen sie ja drauf was ich denke

[armv-m]

it's stupid to pardon him. It will encourage others to snitch. Bad policy.