Putin grants Russian citizenship to US whleblower Edward Snowden

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday granting Russian citizenship to former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.
Snowden, 39, fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013 that revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out the U.S. National Security Agency where he was a contractor.
US authorities have for years wanted Snowden returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges.