The following bilingual Russian MiniLesson is meant to build your vocabulary by providing Russian phrases within English text. Hover over the bold Russian to reveal its English translation.
Recently, US authorities предъявили обвинениеaccused former CIA employee Edward Snowden of хищение государственной собственностиtheft of government property, as well as раскрытие данных о национальной оборонеdisclosing national defence information, and умышленная передача секретной информации постороннему лицуwilfully communicating classified intelligence to an unauthorized person; the latter two crimes are covered under the Акт о шпионажеEspionage Act. Snowden is currently разыскивается властями СШАwanted by US authorities.
Snowden disclosed data on a US special services’ секретная программа наблюденияsecret surveillance program, known as Prism. The US authorities have said that the disclosure was an act of шпионажespionage and государственная изменаtreason. Edward Snowden acted as an информаторwhistle-blower, that is a человек, сообщающий обществу о предполагаемой мошеннической или незаконной деятельности.person who exposes alleged misconduct, dishonest or illegal activity
He has also been labeled a человек, раскрывающий секретную информациюleaker, because he раскрыл секретные документыleaked classified documents. Because of his actions, he had to сбежать из своей родной страныflee his native country; in other words, he became a беглецfugitive.
He is staying в международной транзитной зоне аэропортаin the international transit area of an airport in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. He is trying to просить политическое убежище/подать запрос о политическом убежищеapply for asylum/submit a bid for asylum, after which the country he applies to can предоставить убежищеoffer asylum or отказать в политическом убежищеrefuse asylum.
Russian authorities are refusing to экстрадировать/выдаватьextradite Edward Snowden to the USA. President Putin said there is no соглашение об экстрадицииextradition treaty between Russia and the US, adding that Snowden не совершал преступленийhas not committed any crime on Russian soil, and is therefore a free person. Putin has indicated the Snowden might get asylum in Russia but есть одно условие: он должен прекратить свою работу, направленную на то, чтобы наносить ущерб нашим американским партнерам, как это ни странно прозвучит из моих уст.there is one condition: he must stop his work aimed at harming our American partners, as strange as that sounds coming from my lips
Snowden may face смертная казньthe death penalty if extradited to the United States. Russian officials have cited this as a reason not to extradite him. However, Russia’s refusal to extradite could cause международный спорan international dispute, as US authorities would like to арестовать/взять под стражуarrest/take into custody or задержатьdetain Mr. Snowden.
For more on President Putin’s comments about the situation, follow this link or this one.
