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.”