NSA fugitive Snowden asks to stay in Russia just a bit longer, says lawyer
Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency analyst who landed in Russia last year after spilling the beans from sensitive American government documents, has applied to have his temporary asylum there extended.
Snowden to Russia: Extend my stay
His lawyer told Russian news agencies of ths development today, according to the New York Times.
Attorney Anatoly Kucherna is said to have submitted documents to the Moscow branch of the Federal Migration Service asking for Mr. Snowden to remain in Russia after his initial one-year asylum expires on July 31.
“We have submitted documents for extending his stay in Russia,” Kucherna was quoted as saying by Interfax.
“I will not say for now under which status we would like to get this extension because the decision rests with the Federal Migration Service,” said Kucherna .
Fugitive Snowden, described by his supporters as a whistleblower and his enemies as a traitor, ended up in Russia almost by accident in June of last year, said the Times. Seeking to travel from Hong Kong to Latin America, he was travelling through Moscow when the United States revoked his passport.
Snowden is believed to want to move to a country other than Russia - but risks being sent to the United States to face charges on espionage and theft of government property if his plane touches down in a country with which the US has an extradition treaty.