Q: Is Edward Snowden a U.S. citizen? Will he ever be able to come back to the U.S.?
—Eddie Martin, Atlanta
A: Snowden, who lives in asylum in Moscow, is still a U.S. citizen, but his passport was revoked in 2013.
He has said he would return to the United States, “if (the government) would guarantee a fair trial where I can make a public interest defense of why this was done and allow a jury to decide,” Snowden said in a Skype session with the New Hampshire Liberty Forum in February.
Snowden is a former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified documents in 2013.
He is charged with theft and espionage.
Human rights organizations and supporters are calling for President Barack Obama to pardon Snowden, but the White House said last week that likely won’t happen.
“It’s the view of the administration, and certainly the view of the president, that (Snowden) should return to the United States and face those charges, even as he enjoys the protection of due process and other rights that are afforded to American citizens who are charged with serious crimes,” press secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing, reported by Politico.
Q: When a Braves player hits a home run, and someone in the stands gets the ball, the announcers often say, “so and so from Flowery Branch got a nice souvenir.” How do they know who they are and where they are from?
—Martha Hunt, Hoschton
A: The announcers don't actually know where the fans are from and are just playfully guessing, Braves radio announcer Jim Powell told Q&A on the News.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Will Robinson contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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