The father of Edward Snowden said the former U.S. spy agency contractor has more secrets to tell and should stay in Russia, where he could live comfortably for the rest of his life.
Lon Snowden said he met with his son several times during his weeklong visit to Russia, which ended Wednesday.
While he still has no idea where the younger Snowden lived, he found his son healthy and happy, CNN reported.
Edward Snowden's whereabouts have been kept a well-guarded secret due to security concerns, with the NSA leaker having come out of hiding only once to receive the Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence.
"I felt that this is the best place for him, this is the place where he doesn't have to worry about people rushing across the border to render him," Lon Snowden said. "It's not going to happen here."
As long as the former NSA contractor is wanted in the U.S. on charges of espionage for disclosing the agency's mass surveillance programs, he should remain in Russia, "to make sure the true story is told ... There's much more to be shared," Lon Snowden said before flying out of Moscow, Reuters reported.
"I could be comfortable living the rest of my life here; I'm certain that he could," he told reporters upon arriving at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, CNN said.
The younger Snowden's Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said Wednesday that his client may soon get a job in Russia.
"This question is on the agenda," Kucherena told RIA Novosti. "We will settle this question in the nearest future."
Related articles:
Snowden Issues Warning in First Video Appearance Since Asylum