(Photo: Laura Poitras)
Jul 11, 2014
Edward Snowden is seeking to extend his stay in Russia, where he has been granted asylum from the U.S. after releasing documents on the NSA's surveillance programs around the world, and officials at the Kremlin confirmed to state media that the new permit is likely to be approved.
"I do not see any problem in extending the temporary political asylum," migration official Vladimir Volokh told the Russian news service Interfax. "Circumstances have not changed. Snowden's life is still in danger; therefore the Federal Migration Service has every basis to prolong his status."
Snowden initially took refuge in Moscow in 2013, where he became stranded on his way to Cuba, after U.S. officials revoked his passport and charged him with espionage and theft of government property.
After five weeks in an airport, Snowden received a year-long grant to stay in Russia. The permit expires on July 31. Snowden's attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, told state media on Wednesday that the documents to extend his client's stay have been filed.
U.S. authorities have not been able to determine Snowden's specific location in Russia or how much contact he has with its government or security services. As the Washington Post reported, the U.S. will have trouble catching Snowden without a crucial misstep on his part, as it is unlikely that the Russian government will extradite him at the request of the U.S.
Snowden has also expressed interest in seeking asylum in other countries, including several in South America, but risks being sent home to face trial if he travels outside of Russia and is forced to stop in a U.S.-allied nation.
_____________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
Edward Snowden is seeking to extend his stay in Russia, where he has been granted asylum from the U.S. after releasing documents on the NSA's surveillance programs around the world, and officials at the Kremlin confirmed to state media that the new permit is likely to be approved.
"I do not see any problem in extending the temporary political asylum," migration official Vladimir Volokh told the Russian news service Interfax. "Circumstances have not changed. Snowden's life is still in danger; therefore the Federal Migration Service has every basis to prolong his status."
Snowden initially took refuge in Moscow in 2013, where he became stranded on his way to Cuba, after U.S. officials revoked his passport and charged him with espionage and theft of government property.
After five weeks in an airport, Snowden received a year-long grant to stay in Russia. The permit expires on July 31. Snowden's attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, told state media on Wednesday that the documents to extend his client's stay have been filed.
U.S. authorities have not been able to determine Snowden's specific location in Russia or how much contact he has with its government or security services. As the Washington Post reported, the U.S. will have trouble catching Snowden without a crucial misstep on his part, as it is unlikely that the Russian government will extradite him at the request of the U.S.
Snowden has also expressed interest in seeking asylum in other countries, including several in South America, but risks being sent home to face trial if he travels outside of Russia and is forced to stop in a U.S.-allied nation.
_____________________
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
Edward Snowden is seeking to extend his stay in Russia, where he has been granted asylum from the U.S. after releasing documents on the NSA's surveillance programs around the world, and officials at the Kremlin confirmed to state media that the new permit is likely to be approved.
"I do not see any problem in extending the temporary political asylum," migration official Vladimir Volokh told the Russian news service Interfax. "Circumstances have not changed. Snowden's life is still in danger; therefore the Federal Migration Service has every basis to prolong his status."
Snowden initially took refuge in Moscow in 2013, where he became stranded on his way to Cuba, after U.S. officials revoked his passport and charged him with espionage and theft of government property.
After five weeks in an airport, Snowden received a year-long grant to stay in Russia. The permit expires on July 31. Snowden's attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, told state media on Wednesday that the documents to extend his client's stay have been filed.
U.S. authorities have not been able to determine Snowden's specific location in Russia or how much contact he has with its government or security services. As the Washington Post reported, the U.S. will have trouble catching Snowden without a crucial misstep on his part, as it is unlikely that the Russian government will extradite him at the request of the U.S.
Snowden has also expressed interest in seeking asylum in other countries, including several in South America, but risks being sent home to face trial if he travels outside of Russia and is forced to stop in a U.S.-allied nation.
_____________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.