Edward Snowden applies to extend Russian asylum
- 10 years ago
Former US intelligence contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden has asked Moscow to extend his asylum in Russia.
Last August he was given a one-year visa by Moscow even though the US wanted him sent home to face criminal charges including spying and disclosing secrets.
Snowden’s Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena has reportedly filed a request to have his asylum prolonged, saying his current visa expires on July 31.
The US strongly criticised the original decision to grant him a visa, one of many reasons for its strained relations with Russia.
Snowden fled Hong Kong and got stranded at Moscow airport last year after revealing US intelligence secrets.
Last August he was given a one-year visa by Moscow even though the US wanted him sent home to face criminal charges including spying and disclosing secrets.
Snowden’s Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena has reportedly filed a request to have his asylum prolonged, saying his current visa expires on July 31.
The US strongly criticised the original decision to grant him a visa, one of many reasons for its strained relations with Russia.
Snowden fled Hong Kong and got stranded at Moscow airport last year after revealing US intelligence secrets.