Snowden’s dad reaches out to son despite danger

17 Aug DTN

Lon Snowden, the father of fugitive U.S. National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, has reached out to his son via the Internet, officials said.

The older Snowden communicated with his son through a protected Internet channel using encrypted messages, RIA Novosti reported.

"His fatherly feelings proved stronger than security awareness but nevertheless we don't recommend using the Internet for communication, not even via an encrypted channel, even though we understand that Edward is an IT expert," Edward Snowden's Russian attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, told RIA Novosti.

Edward Snowden, who was recently granted asylum by Russia, is living at an undisclosed location outside the capital, Moscow migration authorities said.

He is wanted by the United States on espionage and theft charges after leaking classified information about the NSA's surveillance programs.

Lon Snowden, who has received a visa from Russian authorities, plans on traveling to Russia to meet with his son after making arrangements with his lawyer, Kucherena said, adding the date of the visit will not be disclosed."

That is also the will (of) the family. I think that when his father comes here together with his lawyer ... he will talk to reporters and reply to questions," Kucherena said.