Snowden's father criticizes `zeal to punish` son

The father of fugitive US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden sent a letter to President Barack Obama defending his son's actions as similar to acts of civil disobedience and criticized Congress for failing to rein in a sweeping surveillance program made public by his son.

The father of fugitive US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden has sent a letter to President Barack Obama defending his son's actions as similar to acts of civil disobedience and criticized Congress for failing to rein in a sweeping surveillance program made public by his son.

According to stuff.co.nz, Lonnie Snowden accused the Obama administration of pursuing him with zeal to punish and said in the letter that he was appalled at the administration's scorn for due process and the rule of law.

The whistleblower's father also said that lawmakers were complicit or negligent in allowing the National Security Agency's massive electronic surveillance program to continue.

Lonnie added that he was extremely disappointed and angry, and that the American people did not know the full truth that was coming.

The father said that he completely believed in his son and was confident in his actions.