A television screens the image of former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden during a news bulletin at a cafe at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport June 26, 2013. [Agencies]
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A television screens the image of former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden during a news bulletin at a cafe at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport June 26, 2013. [Agencies] |
Moscow is not obliged to grant a political asylum to the fugitive U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, a Russian official said Friday.
"I am not convinced that Snowden is a right person deserved to be supported and sympathized," presidential human rights envoy Vladimir Lukin told the Interfax news agency.
The official also noted that Snowden's arrival at Moscow's Sheremetyevo international airport has created "serious problems."
Lukin noted it was questionable whether granting an asylum would be in Russia's national interests.
"He hasn't committed crimes against Russia. Still the asylum is not granted for all people who have not committed crimes against Russia," he said.
Meanwhile, Mikhail Fedotov, head of the Russian Presidential Human Rights Council, said Thursday that the whistleblower did have a chance to receive asylum in Russia if he requested it.
Snowden, charged by the U.S. government with three felonies, including two under the Espionage Act, arrived at the airport on June 23. He could neither cross the Russian border, nor buy another air ticket out since he does not have a Russian visa while his passport was annulled.
The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier they had received an asylum request from Snowden, but there would be no quick decision on whether to grant him asylum status.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday that he would also consider an asylum request from Snowden if the country receives one.
(Xinhua contributed to the story)