Snowden requests asylum in Russia

Edward Snowden asks for ‘temporary asylum’ in Russia

By Nicole Hamer |

12:52 17 July 2013

Edward Snowden, who is wanted by the US for leaking classified information, is seeking temporary asylum in Russia, officials have said.

It is believed his base for the last three weeks has been Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. The Federal Migration Service said that he had finished the necessary forms at the airport.

US President Barack Obama has had discussions with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in the hope of stopping Russia from giving Edward Snowden asylum, as reported by The Independent.

While on a visit to Hogland Island, Mr. Putin said: “He arrived on our territory without an invitation.”

Adding: “He didn’t fly to us; he flew in transit to other countries. But only when it became known that he was in the air, our American partners, in fact, blocked him from flying further.

“They themselves scared all other countries; no one wants to take him, and in this way they themselves in fact blocked him on our territory.”

Reportedly, it is thought that Edward Snowden’s final aim is to seek refuge in South America.

Edward Snowden is a former CIA computer technician.

The US filed criminal charges against Edward Snowden last month. He left Hong Kong towards the end of June.