French Minister says ‘Not the Time’ to Grant Snowden Asylum

The French presidential palace promptly issued a statement stressing that Belloubet had spoken in a “private capacity”

A demonstrator in Paris holds placards calling for Edward Snowden to be granted asylum. Photo Credit : AFP | file photo

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Thursday that he saw no reason to change France’s official stance on former NSA contractor Edward Snowden’s asylum request.

Le Drian told CNews television that when Snowden first asked for French asylum in 2013, the French government "considered it was not the time”. He added: “I don't see what has changed."

Snowden has been living in Russia to escape US prosecution after leaking classified documents detailing government surveillance programs. Asking France again for asylum this week, he argued that "protecting whistleblowers is not a hostile act."

Snowden’s comments came a day after another member of the French government, Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet, said that she would offer him asylum if it was up to her. The French presidential palace promptly issued a statement stressing that Belloubet had spoken in a “private capacity”.

The former NSA contractor has also sought asylum in several other countries. His memoir was released in about 20 countries this week, including France.