Picture released by Human Rights Watch shows US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden (C) in a meeting in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on July 12, 2013.
US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has said he wants to apply for asylum in Russia, a Russian lawmaker says.
Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov revealed Snowdenâ„¢s intention after meeting the whistleblower in the transit zone of Moscowâ„¢s Sheremetyevo airport on Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by saying Snowden could stay in Russia if he stops issuing leaks that harms the United States.
Lawyer Genri Reznik, who also attended the meeting, said Snowden has Å“promised that he would not act to harm the United States.”
Snowden made an initial asylum bid earlier, but withdrew his application after Putin set condition for him that he should stop leaking secrets about US intelligence before his request could be considered.
Wikileaks has said Snowden is to seek asylum in Russia before going to Latin America.
The Friday meeting was the first public appearance by Snowden since he arrived to Moscow on June 23 from Hong Kong before, where he fled before his leaks about American spying operations were published in media.
The former US intelligence contractor is wanted by Washington for leaking classified documents revealing Americaâ„¢s espionage activities worldwide.
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Republished with permission from: Press TV