Edward Snowden Granted Russian Asylum Tuesday July 30,2013

U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted asylum in Russia and left the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport for an undisclosed “safe location”soon after his Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena handed him temporary asylum papers on Tuesday July 30,2013 

Note

• Edward Snowden (30), a former CIA employee and NSA contractor had been stuck at Sheremetyevo Airport since June 23, when he arrived in Moscow from Hong Kong. However, he could not continue his journey as U.S. authorities revoked his passport.

• The U.S. has asked Russia to send Edward Snowden back home for trial on charges for espionage, but has not sent a formal extradition request. President Vladimir Putin has refused to hand him over

• The asylum status allows Edward Snowden to live and work in Russia for one year and can be extended indefinitely on a yearly basis

• The asylum status will protect Edward Snowden from extradition 

USA Reaction to the Edward Snowden Asylum in Russia

Expressing “extreme disappointment” on Russia’s decision to give temporary asylum to Edward Snowden, the U.S. has said that it is evaluating its ties with the country now.

“We are extremely disappointed that the Russian government would take this step despite our very clear and lawful requests in public and in private to have Snowden expelled to the U.S. to face the charges against him,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.