This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23283684

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Edward Snowden 'requests' human rights groups meeting Edward Snowden 'requests human rights groups meeting'
(35 minutes later)
Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has requested a meeting with human rights groups in Moscow, Russian officials say.Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has requested a meeting with human rights groups in Moscow, Russian officials say.
Mr Snowden wants to meet them later on Friday at Sheremetyevo airport, where he is thought to be staying.Mr Snowden wants to meet them later on Friday at Sheremetyevo airport, where he is thought to be staying.
The former CIA contractor is wanted by the US on charges of leaking secrets about US surveillance schemes.The former CIA contractor is wanted by the US on charges of leaking secrets about US surveillance schemes.
He has sent requests for political asylum to at least 21 countries, most of which have turned down his request.He has sent requests for political asylum to at least 21 countries, most of which have turned down his request.
However, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela have indicated they could take him in.However, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela have indicated they could take him in.
The American, who has been stuck in transit since arriving in Moscow from Hong Kong on 23 June, has sent meeting requests to leading human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. 'Unlawful campaign'
"I can confirm that such a meeting will take place," an airport spokeswoman said. Mr Snowden planned to make a statement on Friday, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed airport source as saying.
Prominent Russian lawyer Genrikh Padva is also reported to have been invited. The American is believed to have been stuck in transit since arriving in Moscow from Hong Kong on 23 June, even though no pictures of his stay there have emerged.
He has emailed meeting requests to leading human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
An airport spokeswoman confirmed the meeting would take place in the transit area. It is scheduled for 17:00 local time (13:00 GMT), the BBC's Steven Rosenberg, in Moscow, reports.
Sergei Nikitin, the head of Amnesty International's Russia office, confirmed he had received an invitation and planned to attend the gathering.
Prominent Moscow lawyer Genrikh Padva is also reported to have been invited.
In one email allegedly from Mr Snowden, which has been made public by Human Rights Watch, the 30-year-old American complained that the US government was waging an "unlawful campaign" to prevent him from securing asylum.
The message said the fugitive wanted to discuss the "next steps forward" in his situation.
Washington wants to prosecute Mr Snowden over the leaking of thousands of classified US intelligence documents.Washington wants to prosecute Mr Snowden over the leaking of thousands of classified US intelligence documents.
The leaking of thousands of classified intelligence documents has led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data. The leaking of classified intelligence documents has led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data.
The case has strained relations between the US and China.
President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was "disappointed" that China had chosen not to hand over Mr Snowden to the US authorities when he was in Hong Kong in June.
A US government official said the decision had undermined calls for co-operation between the two countries
But China said Hong Kong - which allowed to Mr Snowden to leave Russia - had acted in accordance with the territory's law.