Well That's Nice

Eric Holder to Russia: U.S. Won't Seek Death Penalty for Edward Snowden

Assures Moscow whistleblower would get civilian trial.

The U.S. assuring Russia it will treat political prisoners fairly? Is it opposite day? Attorney General Eric Holder told Russia Friday that the U.S. will not seek the death penalty for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in hopes of convincing them to hand him over. Holder sent a letter July 23 in response to the news that Snowden was applying for temporary asylum in Russia, assuring Moscow that Snowden would be given “all the protections that United States law provides” and that the government would not seek the death penalty even if Snowden was eligible for it. Holder also said that Snowden would be tried in civilian court—another thing Americans who cross the government can no longer be sure of.