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| Snowden father 'meets son in Russia' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The father of fugitive former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden is in Russia to visit his son. | |
| Lon Snowden told journalists in Moscow he felt "extreme gratitude that my son is safe and secure and he's free". He later met his son, local media say. | |
| Edward Snowden was granted asylum in Russia in August after weeks spent in a transit zone at Moscow airport when the US revoked his travel documents. | Edward Snowden was granted asylum in Russia in August after weeks spent in a transit zone at Moscow airport when the US revoked his travel documents. |
| The 30-year-old leaked many thousands of US intelligence documents. | The 30-year-old leaked many thousands of US intelligence documents. |
| The information, published in The Guardian and Washington Post newspapers, revealed extensive internet and phone surveillance by both US and British intelligence. | The information, published in The Guardian and Washington Post newspapers, revealed extensive internet and phone surveillance by both US and British intelligence. |
| In the US, Edward Snowden faces charges of theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified intelligence. | In the US, Edward Snowden faces charges of theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified intelligence. |
| Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. | Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. |
| Meanwhile, Edward Snowden met four former US security officials in Russia late on Wednesday, it has emerged. | Meanwhile, Edward Snowden met four former US security officials in Russia late on Wednesday, it has emerged. |
| The officials - who now campaign against what they describe as the misuse of state secrecy - said they had presented Mr Snowden with the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence award. The award is given annually by a group of retired CIA officers. | The officials - who now campaign against what they describe as the misuse of state secrecy - said they had presented Mr Snowden with the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence award. The award is given annually by a group of retired CIA officers. |
| The officials told Russian media Mr Snowden had no regrets about leaking the classified files and was convinced he had done the right thing. | The officials told Russian media Mr Snowden had no regrets about leaking the classified files and was convinced he had done the right thing. |
| "He's remarkably centred," ex-FBI agent Coleen Rowley told state-funded RT television. | "He's remarkably centred," ex-FBI agent Coleen Rowley told state-funded RT television. |
| 'Legal options' | 'Legal options' |
| Lon Snowden, arriving at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Thursday, was met by his son's Russian lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena. | Lon Snowden, arriving at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Thursday, was met by his son's Russian lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena. |
| "I'm here to learn more about my son's situation," Mr Snowden told reporters. "My hope is to learn more about his circumstances and his health and to discuss legal options." | "I'm here to learn more about my son's situation," Mr Snowden told reporters. "My hope is to learn more about his circumstances and his health and to discuss legal options." |
| "If the opportunity presents itself, I certainly hope that I have the opportunity to see my son," he said in televised remarks. | "If the opportunity presents itself, I certainly hope that I have the opportunity to see my son," he said in televised remarks. |
| "I'm not sure that my son will be returning to the US. That's his decision, he's an adult." | "I'm not sure that my son will be returning to the US. That's his decision, he's an adult." |
| Lon Snowden later visited his son, but the place and time of the meeting "are not being been revealed for security reasons", said Russia's state-run TV channels Rossiya 24 and Channel One. | |
| Lon Snowden has in the past praised his son for speaking "the truth" and making great sacrifices, and has spoken of his concern that he would not face a fair trial if he returned to the US. | Lon Snowden has in the past praised his son for speaking "the truth" and making great sacrifices, and has spoken of his concern that he would not face a fair trial if he returned to the US. |
| Edward Snowden accessed many of the documents while working for the defence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii, where he had been living with his girlfriend. | Edward Snowden accessed many of the documents while working for the defence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii, where he had been living with his girlfriend. |
| As the revelations became public, Mr Snowden fled to Hong Kong where, with his consent, The Guardian revealed his identity in June. | As the revelations became public, Mr Snowden fled to Hong Kong where, with his consent, The Guardian revealed his identity in June. |
| To escape US attempts to extradite him, Mr Snowden moved on to Russia where he remained in the transit zone of Sheremetyevo airport until Russia granted him asylum. | To escape US attempts to extradite him, Mr Snowden moved on to Russia where he remained in the transit zone of Sheremetyevo airport until Russia granted him asylum. |
| Russia's move added to already tense relations with the US. Washington cancelled a bilateral summit in September. | Russia's move added to already tense relations with the US. Washington cancelled a bilateral summit in September. |