Snowden on Chelsea Manning’s commutation: ‘Thanks, Obama’

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden took to Twitter to celebrate the news that President Obama was commuting the prison sentence of former soldier Chelsea Manning.

“In five more months, you will be free. Thank you for what you did for everyone, Chelsea. Stay strong a while longer,” he tweeted.

Snowden thanked activists who campaigned to push for Manning’s release, as well as Obama himself.

In five more months, you will be free. Thank you for what you did for everyone, Chelsea. Stay strong a while longer! https://t.co/PaLvJDvDbl

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 17, 2017

To all who campaigned for clemency on Manning’s behalf these last hard years, thank you. You made this happen: https://t.co/PaLvJDvDbl

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 17, 2017

Let it be said here in earnest, with good heart: Thanks, Obama. https://t.co/IeumTasRNN

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 17, 2017

{mosads}Manning was convicted in 2013 of leaking thousands of classified documents related to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to WikiLeaks.

She was serving a 35-year sentence but will now be released on May 17. Manning’s commutation came four days before the end of Obama’s administration.

Snowden pleaded with Obama on Twitter last week to commute Manning’s sentence to “save her life.”

Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life.

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 11, 2017

The Obama administration on Tuesday all but ruled out the possibility of Snowden being pardoned himself before Obama leaves office.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest has compared Snowden and Manning’s case.

“Chelsea Manning is somebody who went through the military criminal justice process, was exposed to due process, was found guilty, was sentenced for her crimes, and she acknowledged wrongdoing,” Earnest said last week.

“Mr. Snowden fled into the arms of an adversary, and has sought refuge in a country that most recently made a concerted effort to undermine confidence in our democracy.”

Snowden, who is facing espionage charges for leaking classified information, is currently living in Russia.