Picture: Snowden's new book has recently been published in many countries. Agence France-Presse

[Ta Kung Pao News] Comprehensive reports from Radio France Internationale and Xinhua News Agency: Snowden, the former CIA employee who kicked off the "Prism Gate", expressed on the 14th that he hopes French President Macron will grant him asylum rights. However, French Foreign Minister Le Drian refused on the 19th, stating: "Snowden applied for asylum to France in 2013. At that time, France considered it inappropriate (to accept his application). But now, I don't see any reason to change it, either from a political or judicial perspective. ”

Previously, the British “Times” reported on the 17th that French Justice Minister Bellubet and Loiseau, the leader of the ruling party “Republique En Marche” in the European Parliament, supported Snowden’s grant of asylum in France and said that France should actively respond to Snowden’s wish to go to France. However, Macron's advisers pointed out that the risk of this move is too high and will cause a setback in US-France diplomatic relations.

Snowden became well known for exposing the United States’ “Prism” secret surveillance program, for which the United States prosecuted him for espionage and theft of state secrets. The United States has issued an international arrest warrant for Snowden. If he travels to France and the United States makes an extradition request, a French court will have to decide whether to extradite Snowden to the United States. If extradited and convicted, Snowden could face a total of 20 years in prison.

After Snowden kicked off the "Prism Gate" in 2013, he applied for asylum in 20 countries, including France and Germany, but was rejected all of them. He was eventually granted asylum in Russia, but his asylum period in Russia will expire in 2020.