He's under FSB protection, the only threat on him now is if he violates their rules.
edit i'm sorry does HN not like me pointing out their golden boy is a Russian agent? (intel asset under protection)
edit i'm sorry does HN not like me pointing out their golden boy is a Russian agent? (intel asset under protection)
Myth 2: The men and women who work for the CIA are spies and agents
Citizens who work for the CIA are officers – not agents or spies. All employees, from operations officers, to analysts, to librarians and public affairs, are considered CIA officers.
So, who is a CIA agent? Our operations officers recruit well-placed human assets with access to information. These spies are agents. They provide critical information about their country to help America. Operations officers are CIA employees who spot, recruit, and handle foreign agents. They are experts in understanding human nature, emotions, intentions, and motivations.
https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/...
That doesn't mean they'll just let him leave.
> definition you quoted doesn’t fit him being an agent.
A foreign asset is an agent. FBI calls their employees "agents", the intel community does not.
> Because he does criticise the Russian government openly and often
He is careful in what he says, and makes sure not to question the levers of power Putin has (elections, policy state, etc.). I have no doubt he has been given clear guidelines of what to avoid saying, as he is living by the good graces of the Kremlin now.