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Snowden Asks Russia to Extend Asylum Snowden Asks Russia to Extend Asylum
(about 3 hours later)
MOSCOW — Edward J. Snowden, the former National Security Agency analyst who fled to Russia last year after releasing reams of sensitive American government documents, has applied to have his temporary asylum extended, his lawyer was quoted as telling Russian news agencies on Wednesday. MOSCOW — Edward J. Snowden, the former National Security Agency analyst who fled to Russia last year after releasing reams of secret American government documents, has applied to extend his temporary asylum, his lawyer was quoted as telling Russian news agencies on Wednesday.
Anatoly Kucherna, the attorney, said that he had submitted documents to the Moscow branch of the Federal Migration Service for Mr. Snowden to remain in Russia after his initial one-year asylum expires on July 31. Anatoly G. Kucherena, the lawyer, said that he had requested from the Moscow branch of the Federal Migration Service that Mr. Snowden be permitted to remain in Russia after his initial one-year asylum expires on July 31.
“We have submitted documents for extending his stay in Russia,” Mr. Kucherna was quoted as saying by Interfax. “We have submitted documents for extending his stay in Russia,” Mr. Kucherena was quoted as saying by Interfax.
The decision by Russia to grant Mr. Snowden asylum last year was a major source of tension with Washington. It was one of several events, including the annexation of Crimea in March, that brought ties between Russia and the United States to their lowest point since the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991. The decision by Russia to grant Mr. Snowden asylum last year was a major source of tension with Washington, prompting President Obama to cancel a meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin. It was one of a series of events, including the annexation of Crimea in March, that brought ties between Russia and the United States to their lowest point since the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991.
Mr. Snowden’s lawyer did not specify on what grounds — such as political asylum or fleeing prosecution — he had submitted the application, saying the migration service would ultimately make that determination. Mr. Snowden’s lawyer avoided spelling out the grounds for the application, saying the Russian government would ultimately determine that.
“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,” he said.“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,” he said.
Mr. Snowden, a fugitive since fleeing the United States last summer, was charged with espionage and theft of government property. He ended up in Russia almost by accident in June of last year. Seeking to travel from Hong Kong to Latin America, he was transiting through Moscow when the United States revoked his passport. Mr. Snowden, 31, a fugitive since fleeing the United States last summer, was charged with espionage and theft of government property. His supporters call him a hero, while critics label him a turncoat.
Not much about Mr. Snowden’s daily life in Russia has been revealed, but he has been reportedly seeking to move to another country. However, he risks being sent to the United States to face charges on espionage and theft of government property if his plane is forced down in a country with an extradition treaty with Washington. He ended up in Russia almost by accident in June of last year. Seeking to travel from Hong Kong to Latin America, he was transiting through Moscow when the United States revoked his passport.
The Federal Migration Service would not comment to the Russian news agencies about the application, saying it was a private matter, but there has been no indication that Russia would expel him. Little about Mr. Snowden’s daily life in Russia has been revealed, but he has been reportedly seeking to move to another country, particularly Ecuador or Brazil. However, he risks being sent to the United States for trial if his plane is forced down in a country with an extradition treaty with Washington.
Mr. Snowden maintains that he is a whistle-blower who brought to light the previously unknown, massive extent to which the United States government was spying on ordinary citizens and foreign governments in hunting for terrorism suspects. Numerous senior government officials have called him a traitor. The Federal Migration Service would not comment to the Russian news agencies about the application, saying it was a private matter. But there has been no indication that Russia would expel him.
Mr. Snowden maintains that he is a whistle-blower who brought to light the extent to which the United States government was spying on citizens and foreign governments in a trawler-like hunt for terrorism suspects.
Numerous senior American officials have called him a traitor.