Former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, wanted by the United States for leaking extensive secrets of its electronic surveillance programmes, has been given a three-year residence permit by Russia, his Russian lawyer said yesterday.
Moscow’s relations with the West are at Cold War-era lows over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Russia banned certain food imports from the United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada and Norway on Thursday in response to Western sanctions.
“The decision on the application has been taken and therefore, with effect from August 1, 2014, Edward Snowden has received a three-year residential permit,” Anatoly Kucherena said. “In the future, Edward himself will take a decision on whether to stay on (in Russia) on and get Russian citizenship or leave for the United States.”
He said Snowden could apply for citizenship in 2018 after living in Russia for five years, but that he had not decided whether he wanted to stay or leave.
The spokesman for the White House National Security Council, Ned Price, said Snowden needed to return to the United States to face charges related to the leaks.
“Mr Snowden faces felony charges here in the United States. He should return to the US as soon as possible, where he will be accorded full due process and protections,” Price said. Kucherena said Snowden was studying Russian and had an IT-related job, but did not provide further details.
“He is a high-class IT specialist”, he said.
He said Snowden’s security was being taken seriously and that he was using private security guards.
Lawyer says Snowden free to seek Russian citizenship in 2018
The tone of statements out of the US, including out of the State Department, suggests his security was at risk, even in Russia, Kucherena said.
Kucherena has in the past expressed concerns that Snowden could be in danger because of his intelligence background and the fact the United States wants him to stand trial.
“I should say that he can move freely, he can go to the shops, visit museums and theatres,” he said. “(But) he needs to think about his safety.”
Snowden’s place of residence has not been disclosed and few pictures of him have appeared in the media. Snowden’s father, Lon Snowden, who visited him last October, said his son had more secrets to share and should stay in Russia “to make sure the true story is told.”