US fugitive Snowden receives three year Russian residency
- 10 years ago
Edward Snowden will be allowed to stay in Russia for three more years.
His lawyer told reporters the former U.S. intelligence contractor has been granted a three-year residence permit allowing him to stay in Russia through July of 2017.
Snowden is wanted by the U.S. for leaking extensive secrets about the NSA's spying programs.
His lawyer says Snowden could apply for citizenship after living in Russia for five years, but that he has not yet decided what he wants to do.
SOUNDBITE: EDWARD SNOWDEN'S RUSSIAN LAWYER ANATOLY KUCHERENA, SAYING:
"Edward himself will take a decision on whether to stay (in Russia) and get Russian citizenship or leave for the United States in time."
Snowden's residency extension comes amid worsening relations between Russia and the West over the situation in Ukraine.
His lawyer told reporters the former U.S. intelligence contractor has been granted a three-year residence permit allowing him to stay in Russia through July of 2017.
Snowden is wanted by the U.S. for leaking extensive secrets about the NSA's spying programs.
His lawyer says Snowden could apply for citizenship after living in Russia for five years, but that he has not yet decided what he wants to do.
SOUNDBITE: EDWARD SNOWDEN'S RUSSIAN LAWYER ANATOLY KUCHERENA, SAYING:
"Edward himself will take a decision on whether to stay (in Russia) and get Russian citizenship or leave for the United States in time."
Snowden's residency extension comes amid worsening relations between Russia and the West over the situation in Ukraine.