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WASHINGTON — If Edward Snowden can't come home, he's got a backup plan.
The Russians, taking an iron-fisted approach to terrorism in Sochi, earlier this week offered an open hand to the man who exposed anti-terrorism efforts of the U.S. government.
Snowden's Russian lawyer said Russia would extend Snowden's asylum status when it runs out in August.
Snowden does not want to stay. He said in his Web chat: "Returning to the U.S., I think, is the best resolution for the government, the public and myself, but it's unfortunately not possible."
It isn’t possible because he's denied whistleblower protection. Snowden's American lawyer, Ben Wizner, says the leaker ought to be offered clemency.
"I don't think Edward Snowden should, as the justice department says, plead guilty to a felony and lose his freedom and lose his civil rights for his act of conscience that did all of this good," Wizner said.
But Attorney General Eric Holder demands a plea bargain.
“The notion of clemency, a simple — you know — no harm, no foul, I think that would be going too far,” Holder said.
Lawyer Bill Coffield said as part of any plea bargain, Snowden is sure to get jail time.
"You're talking, at least I think, seven or eight years or more," Coffield said.
Unless, Coffield added, the NSA is not sure how Snowden stole the secrets.
"These are things that the government may want to know, and may want to know bad enough to negotiate with him," he said.
Or Snowden stays in Russia.
The comments emerged from a live chat held on the freesnowden.is website Thursday.
Meantime, Holder said he would be willing to discuss a plea deal with Snowden, if and when he decides to return to the United States.
