Snowden gets permit to live in Russia

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.

“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) 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 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 US 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 said Snowden’s security was being taken seriously.

The tone of statements out of the United States, including out of the State Department, suggests his security was at risk, even in Russia, Kucherena said.

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.