The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) has invited NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who was granted asylum in Russia, to host a TV show about spy agencies, media reports said.
“We are starting a new project, a show about intelligence agents and spy agencies from various countries. Our member Andrei Lugovoi will host the program on our behalf, and we also invite Edward Snowden,” LDPR member Andrei Svintsov said Wednesday, Ria Novosti reported.
He explained that the show will concentrate on all aspects of international intelligence activity, adding that the LDPR hopes that Snowden’s profound expertise could benefit the program.
Snowden’s proposed co-host Andrei Lugovoi is wanted by the United Kingdom as a chief suspect in the case of 2006 murder of former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko. British prosecutors demanded Lugovoi’s extradition but the request was denied by Russia in 2007.
Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden fled the United States in June 2013, after leaking information concerning the extensive electronic surveillance programs conducted by the US government around the globe, including eavesdropping on American citizens and foreign leaders. The revelations have sparked domestic controversy and strained relations between the Washington and its partners worldwide.
Snowden received temporary asylum in Russia in 2013, and later was granted a residence permit until 2017. He is wanted in the United States on several charges including espionage and government property theft and could face up to 30 years in prison.
