Lou Snowden, father of National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, said Sunday that he has secured documents to visit his son in Russia, where he has been granted asylum. Neither the elder Snowden or his attorney, Bruce Fein, have spoken to Edward since he fled for Hong Kong in May, but Lou Snowden said he would advise his son on how to deal with the charges. “As a father, I want my son to come home if I believe that the justice system … is going to be applied correctly,” Lou Snowden said on ABC's "This Week."
'"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, of Allentown, Pa.
Edward Snowden roiled the United States intelligence agencies and upended US relations around the globe with his disclosures of highly classified programs that allow the United States to collect millions of pieces of data, including Americans' phone records. The government has charged him with violations of the Espionage Act in federal court in Alexandria, Va.
Fein said the family is willing to discuss conditions under which Edward Snowden might return to the United States and perhaps face criminal proceedings. Fein added that he plans to "suggest criminal defense attorneys who've got experience with criminal Espionage Act prosecutions" when he meets with Snowden."
While Edward Snowden's whereabouts in Russia are still unknown, the timing of the visit from Lon Snowden and Fein is also unclear and both declined to elaborate.
"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 U.S.," Lon Snowden said.
