In a recent turn, the fugitive US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden has received temporary asylum in Russia for one year, and has moved to a safe place, said a lawyer assisting him.
Anatoly Kucherena, lawyer of Snodwen said, "I have just delivered documents to him (Snowden) from the Russian Federal Migrant Service (FMS)."
He further said that the documents allowed Snowden to move freely within Russia.
It is noted that the former intelligence contractor had left the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo international airport for a location that would not be disclosed.
"I hope you will treat this vague information with understanding ... the safety issue is a very serious one for him," the lawyer said.
The FMS confirmed the granting of asylum.
Meanwhile, "One of the district subdivisions of the Federal Migration Service Department for the Moscow region has decided to grant Mr. Snowden the status of temporary asylum," FMS spokesperson Zalina Kornilova said.She added that the Snowden case was "nothing special".
She further added, "I emphasise that this is not a unique case, so, over a thousand people applied to district subdivisions in 2013 alone, so far.”
Kucherena said Snowden would choose where he lived. "He can either live in a hotel or rent a flat," he said.
However the lawyer said currently, Snowden had no "immediate plan" to fly to Latin America, but the former spy agency contractor would stay in touch with his family. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Thursday Moscow was aware of the atmosphere created in US over Snowden, but he had not received "any signals" regarding the cancellation of US President Barack Obama's visit to Russia in September.
(With inputs from IANS)
|
|
Comments:
