The U.S. government has assured Russia that the American whistleblower, Edward Snowden would not be given a death penalty. Snowden is currently in limbo at Moscow's airport since he flew down from Hong Kong, following an arrest warrant issued by America on charges of espionage and theft of government property.
In a letter to the Russian ministry of justice, Attorney General Eric Holder said Snowden will neither be tortured nor be given a death penalty, while appealing to extradite the American from Russia.
"The charges he faces do not carry that possibility, and the United States would not seek the death penalty even if Mr. Snowden were charged with additional death penalty-eligible crimes," said Attorney General Eric Holder in the letter.
The Washington government also declared that Snowden will be tried in a civilian court and would even be allowed to hire a lawyer.
"We believe that these assurances eliminate these asserted grounds for Mr. Snowden's claim that he should be treated as a refugee or granted asylum, temporary or otherwise," said the letter, a copy which was released by the Russian ministry of justice Friday.
Edward Snowden had appealed for temporary asylum in Russia after the country agreed to grant him shelter given he wouldn't leak any further U.S. secret intelligence that would damage the U.S.-Russia relationship. Russia also denied transferring Snowden back to the U.S. on grounds of the torture and capital punishment Snowden would face.
This letter could be an assurance to Russia's fear that Snowden would be given death penalty. However, several think tanks believe that the letter does not guarantee Snowden's safety as the Washington government is allegedly accused of denying rights of several detainees that were to be tried in civil court. They are also accused of torturing both American and non-American detainees at Guantánamo prison.
Snowden requested asylum to more than 25 countries in recent weeks but only a few countries in Latin America responded. He has been planning to travel to a Latin American country but is unable to travel as his passport has been revoked by the U.S. government.
