Interfax: Pushkov says U.S. to be hysterical if Russia grants political asylum to surveillance leaker

June 12, 2013 JRL Russia List Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Spies, Spy Allegations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations

(Interfax – MOSCOW, June 11, 2013) The United States will be hysterical if Russia grants political asylum to (name/post redacted), State Duma International Affairs Committee Chairman Alexei Pushkov tweeted on Tuesday.

“By promising asylum to (name redacted), Moscow undertakes the protection of persons persecuted for political motives. The U.S. will be hysterical. They recognize it as their right,” he said.

Russian authorities will consider a political asylum for (name/post redacted), if he chooses to file for it, Kommersant said earlier on Tuesday.

The British Guardian has dubbed 29-year-old (name redacted)a leaker of U.S. surveillance operations.