( CNN ) -- The U.S. Justice Department will not seek the death penalty for U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden , Attorney General Eric Holder wrote to Russian authorities in a letter dated July 23 . In the letter , Holder says Snowden 's arguments for temporary asylum in Russia are without merit . Snowden is seeking asylum because he claims he will be tortured and face the death penalty if returned to the United States . But the death penalty is not an option given the current charges against Snowden , and even if additional charges are filed , the United States would still not seek capital punishment , Holder wrote . Once back in the United States , Snowden would not be tortured and would face a civilian trial with a lawyer appointed to him , the attorney general wrote . `` We believe that these assurances eliminate these asserted grounds for Mr. Snowden 's claim that he should be treated as a refugee or granted asylum , '' Holder wrote . Snowden did not access 'crown jewels ' of NSA intel , official says . He also said it is untrue that Snowden can not travel because his U.S. passport was revoked . Snowden is still a U.S. citizen and is eligible for a limited-validity passport that would authorize a direct return to the United States . `` The United States is willing to immediately issue such a passport to Mr. Snowden , '' Holder wrote . Father asks Obama to rein in Holder . In a letter released Friday , Snowden 's father called on President Barack Obama to order Holder to dismiss the criminal complaint filed against his son . Lon Snowden defended his son 's actions , comparing them to acts of civil disobedience . `` We are also appalled at your administration 's scorn for due process , the rule of law , fairness and the presumption of innocence as regards Edward , '' the letter said . Earlier in the day , Lon Snowden said on NBC 's `` Today '' that Snowden did the right thing by leaking U.S. intelligence and helping Americans see the truth . `` I think my son , when he takes his final breath , whether it 's today or 100 years from now , ( will ) be comfortable with what he did , '' he said . `` He did what he knew was right . He shared the truth with the American people . What we choose to do with it is up to us as a people . '' Lon Snowden expressed his disappointment with the recent House vote that continued funding for the spy program that Edward Snowden exposed . There is a need for a strong intelligence community , Lon Snowden said , but many who voted for continued funding for the program are really looking out for the special interests that will benefit . `` It 's all about the money , '' he said . The father said he has not been in direct contact with his son , but there has been indirect contact through intermediaries . The intermediaries do not include WikiLeaks , Lon Snowden said , but he added that he is thankful to that group for aiding his son . `` I 'm thankful for anybody at this point that is providing him with assistance to keep him safe and secure , '' he said . U.S. , Russian officials continue talks . Meanwhile , the Kremlin said that the Russian security agency FSB is talking to American officials . `` The situation around Snowden is not being discussed at the top level . There 's a discussion between heads of FSB and FBI , '' the Kremlin press office said . A spokesman for Vladimir Putin said the Russian president `` expressed a firm intention to not allow '' further damage to U.S. interests , including a pledge by Snowden not to release any more intelligence . `` And I have no doubt this is how it will be , no matter how the situation develops , '' the spokesman said , according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti . The many mysteries of Snowden 's transit zone . Snowden is n't yet allowed to step outside the Moscow airport where he 's been confined for weeks . He is waiting for permission to stay elsewhere in Russia while his request for temporary asylum is considered . He has been searching for a place to settle after the United States charged him with espionage . The former National Security Agency contractor , who admitted last month to revealing sweeping U.S. electronic surveillance programs to the news media , left Hong Kong for Moscow on June 23 . Snowden may remain stuck in the transit area for weeks and maybe months , the head of Russia 's migration service , Vladimir Volokh , told the Russian news agency Interfax . The maximum length of time Snowden can spend at the airport is six months , he said . CNN 's Nancy Baker and Alla Eshchenko contributed to this report .
NEW : Snowden 's father asks the president to dismiss the complaint against his son . Snowden 's father talks about the U.S. intelligence leaker . Lon Snowden says his son did what he knew was right . The FBI and security officials in Russia are discussing his case .