Lawyer Kucherena describes Snowden’s first public appearance in Russia and alleged pressure to withdraw asylum petitions

268 | HOW AMERICA LOST ITS SECRETS “T was impressed by how few takes he needed to shoot my scene,” he answered. “How did you come to be Snowden’s lawyer?” I asked. “Snowden picked me from a roster of fifteen lawyers with which he had been provided.” Because Snowden did not speak or read Russian, I asked Kucher- ena about how Snowden had come to pick him from the roster. Could he have known about his connections? “I suppose it was because of my record in defending human rights,” Kucherena replied with a broad smile. Kucherena went to Sheremetyevo International Airport to meet his new client on the morning of Friday, July 12, 2013. At that point, he said that Snowden had been held virtually incommunicado for twenty days. Other than Russian officials, the only person he had been allowed to see during this period was Assange’s aide, Sarah Harrison. “Where in the airport did you meet him?” I asked. “Was it in a VIP lounge?” © “Tt was in the transit zone,” he replied coyly. “That is all I can say.” © They spoke through a translator. By this time, Harrison had sent twenty-one countries petitions for asylum that were signed by Snowden. Whatever their purpose, Kucherena did not consider them helpful. “T told him that if he wanted to get sanctuary in Russia, he would have to immediately withdraw all the petitions in which he had asked other countries for asylum.” Kucherena said that otherwise he could not represent him. Snowden agreed to that condition. Shortly before 5:00 p.m., Kucherena accompanied Snowden, who was wearing an open-neck blue shirt and a badly creased jacket, to area Gg in the transit zone, where they emerged from a door marked “Authorized Personnel Only.” A number of officials in dark suits, who Kucherena assumed were from the “special services” to protect Snowden, were already in the room. Snowden and Harrison seated themselves at a table. A Russian translator was also seated at the table. At this point, thirteen invitees were ushered into the room to witness Snowden’s first public appearance in Russia. It was rare | | Epst_9780451494566_2p_all_r1.indd 268 ® 9/30/16 8:13AM | | HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_019756