US whistleblower seeks asylum in France

US Whistleblower Edward Snowden, a refugee in Russia after denouncing mass surveillance by the United States, says he would like   France to grant him asylum, according to excerpts from an interview with French Radio France Inter , released on Saturday, September 14

“The saddest thing in this whole case is that the only place where an American informant can speak is not in Europe, but here (in Russia,),” Snowden says in this interview with the French public radio, which will be broadcasted Monday.

“I requested asylum in France in 2013 during (the mandate of former Socialist president) François Hollande).

“, I would very much like (the current French President) Emmanuel Macron to grant me the right of asylum,”  says Snowden, who has previously asked for the protection of a score of countries – including France and Germany which turned him down.

“Protecting informants is not hostile. Welcoming someone like me is not attacking the United States,” says Snowden.

He will publish his memoirs on September 17 in about twenty countries, including the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Taiwan.

Employed at the US intelligence agency NSA, Snowden revealed in 2013 the existence of a global communications and internet surveillance system.

He took refuge in Russia, where his residence permit has been renewed until 2020. The United States has accused him of espionage and theft of state secrets.