‘Russia likely to give asylum to Snowden’

Russia will most likely give temporary asylum to Edward Snowden, says a lawyer who has helped the former CIA contractor complete his application.

The American whistleblower submitted a request for temporary asylum in Russia on June 16. He is wanted in the United States for leaking classified data about the espionage activities of the US National Security Agency (NSA).

Å“The reasons indicated in his application filed with the Federal Migration Service… make it unlikely he will be refused asylum,” Russian news agency RIA Novosti on Wednesday quoted lawyer Anatoly Kucherena as saying in Moscow.

Kucherena added that the NSA leaker mentioned in his application that he was being persecuted by the US government and that he was Å“scared that he will be tortured or executed.”

According to the lawyer, the 30-year-old should get an official document within seven days, which certifies that his application has been received and is being considered. Snowden can then leave Moscowâ„¢s Sheremetyevo Airport transit zone, where he has been staying since June 23.

Kucherena further said Snowden was considering a possible application for Russian citizenship among a variety of options for his future.

He also noted that he did not think Moscowâ„¢s relations with Washington would be affected over Snowden, saying, Å“Russia and the United States are two great powers, and I do not think our humane attitude toward a US citizen will damage relations between the two countries.”

However, on the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Å“International relations, in my opinion, are more important than the special services’ hassles,” referring to Snowdenâ„¢s case.

Meanwhile, the US Olympic Committee (USOC) has dismissed a call to boycott the Sochi Winter Olympics if Russia gives asylum to Snowden.

In a statement released on Wednesday, USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky expressed the committeeâ„¢s opposition to any political boycott of the games.

MR/HSN