Report: Edward Snowden to stay in airport for now

UPDATED: Despite earlier reports, it's unclear if he has permission to leave

Published July 24, 2013 3:09PM (EDT)

First pictures of Edward Snowden's Moscow airport press conference, via Twitter                      (Twitter)
First pictures of Edward Snowden's Moscow airport press conference, via Twitter (Twitter)

After more than a month in the transit area of a Moscow airport, Edward Snowden has received the documents necessary to enter Russia, Reuters reported, citing an airport source.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Snowden, who is wanted by the United States for leaking details of U.S. government intelligence programs, was expected to meet his lawyer at Sheremetyevo airport later on Wednesday after lodging a request for temporary asylum in Russia. The immigration authorities declined immediate comment.

It's not clear how long he'll be staying in Russia or if he plans to move to Venezuela, Nicaragua or Bolivia, three nations that have offered him asylum.

Updated 11:07 a.m.: Reuters is now reporting that Snowden will stay in the airport for now. The Voice of Russia, on a liveblog, is also reporting that Snowden may not have received the documents that give him permission to leave.


By Alex Halperin

Alex Halperin is news editor at Salon. You can follow him on Twitter @alexhalperin.

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Airport Asylum Diplomacy Edward Snowden Leaking Moscow