LOC18:52
15:52 GMT
WASHINGTON, June 13 (KUNA) -- Chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) Robert Mueller announced here Thursday that leaker Edward Snowden, who
exposed secret U.S. surveillance programs, is under "criminal investigation."
In a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Mueller discussed the recent public
disclosure of highly classified national security programs, saying "as to the
individual who has admitted making these disclosures, he is the subject of an
ongoing criminal investigation."
He affirmed that these disclosures "have caused significant harm to our
nation and to our safety."
"We're taking all necessary steps to hold the person responsible for these
disclosures," he stressed.
He said that "the highest priority of the intelligence community is to
understand and to combat threats to our national security, but we do so in
full compliance with the law."
"We recognize that the American public expects the FBI and our intelligence
community partners to protect privacy interests even as we must conduct our
national security mission," he added.
He pointed that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (FISA) Court has
"approved both programs, and these programs have been conducted consistent
with the Constitution and the laws of the United States."
He affirmed that the programs have been carried out "with extensive
oversight from courts, independent inspectors general and Congress." (end)
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