'They will put a bullet in my head or poison me when I come out of the supermarket': Edward Snowden says U.S. secret service wants to kill him
- In a new interview with a German TV channel, Edward Snowden reveals that threats have been made against his life
- The former NSA contractor says US government officials 'would love to put a bullet in my head'
- He also shares claims of a poisoning scheme where he could be 'poked' exiting a supermarket and then die later at home
- Snowden continues to hide out in Russia
- He says a fair U.S. trial is hopeless as the Espionage Act 'forbids public interest defense'
Secret services fugitive Edward Snowden claimed on Sunday that US government officials 'want to kill me' in an interview with a German TV channel.
The intelligence leaker's Moscow lawyer had already voiced similar fears after controversial comments from unattributed sources.
Snowden - currently hiding from US justice in Russia, where he is believed to be under the protection of the The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) - said he has received threats on his life.
'These people, and they are government officials, have said they would love to put a bullet in my head or poison me when I come out of the supermarket, and then watch as I die in the shower,' he said.
Still hiding: Edward Snowden, 30, has revealed he has received threats against his life in the wake of his intelligence leaking scandal
The translated Snowden quotes were issued by German public television netowork ARD with the promise of further comments from the renegade intelligence contractor.
The interview was broadcast in Moscow in secret.
Snowden's concerns follow a BuzzFeed article entitled 'American Spies Want Edward Snowden Dead', which cited an alleged Pentagon official.
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'I would love to put a bullet in his head,' said the source, who was not named.
A current analyst for the National Security Agency - where Snowden used to work - was quoted as saying he would not hesitate in murder Snowden.
'In a world where I would not be restricted from killing an American, I personally would go and kill him myself,' they said.
US President Barack Obama speaks about the National Security Agency (NSA) and intelligence agencies surveillance techniques in the US, reacting to leaks by former N.S.A contractor Edward Snowden
In the speech Obama said more could be done to protect the civil liberties of his citizens, and also pledged to end spying on friendly heads of state
And an unnamed army source suggested Snowden could be 'poked' on his way back from a supermarket and administered with poison.
Snowden 'thinks nothing of it at the time and starts to feel a little woozy,' he said.
'And the next thing you know he dies in the shower.'
The fugitive's Russian lawyer said last week that additional security maybe needed for Snowden after the 'threats'.
Snowden, 30, is wanted on treason charges after leaking highly classified details about the US - and the British - snooping on mobile phones and the internet.
The American in recent days has ruled out a return to his homeland, despite a campaign to allow him back.
In danger: Snowden took refuge in Moscow to evade treason charges after disclosing U.S. state secrets on NSA intelligence gathering, and now fears for his life and wants to increase security
A man uses his cell phone to read updates about former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden answering users' questions on Twitter on January 23, 2014
The 30-year-old said that while returning to the US would be the 'best resolution' for everyone, doing so is impossible because he believes there is 'no chance' of a fair trial.
Snowden is barely seen in Moscow and officials have said since his arrival last summer that he is in danger from a possible hit by US agents.
He received temporary asylum in Russia in August - a move that infuriated the United States and was a key factor behind President Barack Obama's decision to cancel a summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin last year.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2546389/Edward-Snowden-says-U-S-secret-service-trying-kill-him.html#ixzz3pEuY7XaC
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