Edward Snowden's lawyer Anatoly Kucherena confirmed Wednesday the former U.S. intelligence contractor has asked Moscow to extend his asylum in Russia.
Russia granted Snowden a one-year visa in August 2013 despite the U.S. wanting Moscow to send him home to face criminal charges, including espionage, for disclosing secret U.S Internet and telephone surveillance programs.
"We have carried out the procedure of getting temporary asylum. It expires on July 31," Interfax news agency quoted Kucherena as saying on Wednesday.
"Correspondingly, we have filed documents to extend his stay on the territory of Russia."
Kucherena could not immediately be reached for comment independently and the Russian Federal Migration Service declined comment.
Another lawyer for Snowden, whose precise whereabouts are a secret, said last month he expected Russia to extend the American's asylum beyond July.
President Vladimir Putin's refusal to return Snowden to the U.S. is one of many irritants in relations between Moscow and Washington, which are also as loggerheads over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, human rights and defense issues.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.