March 19, 2026 08:30 pm (IST)
Russia extends Snowden's asylum for 3 years
Moscow, Aug 7 (IBNS): The Russian government has extended the temporary asylum for former National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden for three years starting from Aug 1, reports said on Thursday.
"Political asylum is not under consideration. In this case, a decision was made about his residence permit. The permission was issued for three years with a possibility of extension for another three years," Ria Novosti quoting his lawyer Anatoly Kucherena reported.
The lawyer reportedly said that a foreign national may apply for Russian citizenship after living in the country for five years, but said it was up to Snowden to decide.
Snowden is, however, free to travel in Russia and abroad.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had last year said that the country will not extradite Snowden.
The CIA contractor leaked details of extensive communications surveillance on U.S. and foreign citizens by America's National Security Agency (NSA).
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