Leaker granted asylum
Fugitive US intelligence whistle-blower Edward Snowden has received temporary asylum in Russia for one year, and has moved to a safe place, a lawyer assisting him said on Thursday.
"I have just delivered documents from the Russian Federal Migrant Service," the Interfax news agency quoted Anatoly Kucherena as saying.
"He has gone to a safe place. I hope you will be understanding about this information," Kucherena told Rossiya 24 television, holding up a scanned copy of Snowden's certificate granting him a year's temporary asylum in Russia.
Kucherena said Snowden has left the transit zone for an undisclosed location.
"His location is not being made public for security reasons since he is the most pursued man on the planet. He himself will decide where he will go," he added.
The US has demanded that Russia send Snowden home to face prosecution, but Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the request.
Putin had said that Snowden could receive asylum in Russia on condition he stops leaking US secrets. Kucherena has said Snowden accepted the condition.
Xinhua-AFP
(China Daily 08/02/2013 page12)
