Snowden Bows to Putin’s Demand to Stop Harming U.S.

Edward Snowden file photo

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Henry Meyer – July 16, 2013) Fugitive U.S. ex-security contractor Edward Snowden has agreed to Russia’s demand that he stop anti-American activity and asked for temporary asylum, a Russian lawyer advising him said.

Snowden “confirmed to me personally that he will accept these conditions,” Anatoly Kucherena said by phone today. Asked if that meant the American would stop leaking secret U.S. documents, the lawyer replied, “yes.”

The 30-year-old, who exposed classified U.S. programs that collect telephone and Internet data, lodged his bid for temporary asylum earlier today at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, said Kucherena, who assisted him with the application. President Vladimir Putin yesterday accused the U.S. of stranding Snowden in Moscow by putting pressure on other countries to prevent his travel through their airspace or deny him refuge.

Snowden, whose presence in Russia has heightened tensions with the U.S., has been in Sheremetyevo’s transit area since arriving on a flight from Hong Kong on June 23. He’s been seeking asylum around the world as U.S. authorities press for his return to face prosecution. While Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia have indicated they’d be willing to take him, Snowden said the U.S. and its European allies are blocking him from reaching a safe haven.

His previous request for asylum in Russia was withdrawn 24 hours later after Putin insisted Snowden stop “anti-American” activities.

Temporary Refuge

The application for temporary refuge, a simpler procedure than asking for the status of a political refugee, should be decided on “soon” by Russian immigration authorities, Kucherena said.

The Federal Migration Service isn’t commenting on Snowden’s case, said an official who answered the phone at the government agency’s press service. Snowden may be transferred to a center for asylum seekers or remain in the transit zone, Interfax reported, citing the head of the migration authority’s advisory council, Vladimir Volokh.

Article ©2013 BLOOMBERG L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Article also appeared at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-16/snowden-bows-to-putin-s-demand-to-stop-harming-u-s-.html

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