Edward Snowden amnesty rejected by White House

The White House has rejected the idea of an amnesty for fugitive Edward Snowden.

Earlier today, top National Security Agency (NSA) official had suggested that a deal could be reached if Edward Snowden stopped leaking documents.

However, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Edward Snowden still faced felony charges for leaking classified data.

It came as a federal judge ruled that the NSA’s snooping on telephone calls is likely to be unconstitutional.

US District Judge Richard Leon wrote that the programme probably violated Americans’ right to be free of unreasonable searches.

He stayed his own ruling pending an expected appeal by the government.

In Monday’s daily press briefing, Jay Carney said government officials continue to press Russia – where Edward Snowden has been granted asylum – to return him to the US.

“There’s been no change in our position,” Jay Carney told reporters.

Edward Snowden “faces felony charges here, he ought to be returned to the United States, again, where he will face full due process and protection under our system of justice, which we hope he will avail himself of”, Jay Carney added.

The US has charged Edward Snowden with theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence.

Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.