Eric Holder sent a letter dated July 23rd, 2013 to his counterpart in Russia assuring Russia that the U.S. would not seek the death penalty against Edward Snowden, nor would the U.S. torture him. Eric Holder further believes that his letter negates Edward Snowden's claim for asylum from the United States.
It's an interesting concept to ponder.
The fact that the United States actually had to pledge to not kill Snowden or torture him is appalling.
Except....well, maybe a good follow up question would be to ask if Holder is planning on using John Yoo's definition of torture. The U.S. has trouble claiming the high road on torture these days.
The Russian decision about Edward Snowden's asylum request will have more to do with a deal that benefits Russia rather than any other consideration and Eric Holder's letter is meant to give Russia political cover for making the decision Washington wants. It's a touchy, political situation regardless of how you feel about Edward Snowden.
The letter (pdf) gives good lip service. Will it be enough to convince a Russian government who would rather this annoyance be gone? Which way will the wind blow? Toward better relations with the U.S. or will Russia tell us to buzz off? Conceivably, it can come down to how the both Russia and the U.S. define "torture" (the international definition is clear as mud). That definition could well take into account the over extensive use of solitary confinement in the U.S. detainment systems.