Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor and whistleblower, might be exiled in Russia for three more years as he is requesting more time for his residency permit.

There are a number of reasons why Snowden would want to exile himself to Russia and continue to stay in exile, and that Russia would willingly take in, in our government’s eyes, a criminal of the United States. These are important to understand as they form a crucial part of our history and how whistleblowers could be dealt with.

The reasoning behind him leaving the United States in the first place is explained by Allison McFadden, a Street Law teacher at Capital High School, expertly.

“After Snowden was charged with espionage by the U.S. Department of Justice,” said McFadden, “he fled the U.S. to Russia.  His passport had been revoked so, eventually, Russia granted him asylum.”

But does this mean that whistleblowing is against the Constitution? Not necessarily as McFadden explains what went wrong with Snowden’s approach.

“The documents that were leaked had classified information about the National Security Agency (NSA) programs,” said McFadden, “by releasing the information it harmed national security and put intelligence officers in danger. Mr. Snowden could/should have gone to Congress with his concerns.”

Russia granting asylum to Snowden might’ve been surprising to some at the time, but this could’ve been a calculated move by Putin.

“There are a lot of theories about why Putin allowed Snowden asylum in Russia – it’s possible that it stems from Russia losing the Cold War and resentment over losing power internationally. It’s probably a combination of various incentives including revenge for the U.S.,” said McFadden, “expressing c,” said McFadden.onstant concern over human rights violations in Russia.  Moscow believed that the U.S. had no business interfering in Russia’s domestic affairs.  Russia might have seen Snowden as a publicity tool in that regard.”

Snowden is the only person to live in exile from their country, according to Ken Joling, a history teacher at Capital High School.

“As far as someone having been exiled, as in kicked out of the country for having ‘blown the whistle’,” said Joling, “I don’t know that that has ever happened.”

But, for the foreseeable future, Snowden might be staying in Russia until eventually, he’ll have to return and face the crimes that are levied against him or our government gives up and pardons him.