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Edward Snowden meets rights groups at Moscow airport Edward Snowden re-emerges for Moscow airport meeting
(35 minutes later)
Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has met leading human rights groups and lawyers at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has met rights groups and lawyers at a Moscow airport, in his first appearance in three weeks.
He spoke to around 10 activists in the airport transit zone. In a statement, Mr Snowden said he was requesting asylum in Russia because he was unable to travel to Latin America, where Venezuela had granted him asylum.
Mr Snowden told activists he was seeking political asylum in Russia. He had earlier dropped his application when Moscow said he could stay only if he stopped leaking US secrets. He had dropped an earlier Russian application after Moscow said he could stay only if he stopped the US leaks.
The Kremlin reiterated its condition on Friday.The Kremlin reiterated its condition on Friday.
"Mr Snowden could hypothetically stay in Russia if he first, completely stops the activities harming our American partners and US-Russian relations and, second, if he asks for this himself," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said."Mr Snowden could hypothetically stay in Russia if he first, completely stops the activities harming our American partners and US-Russian relations and, second, if he asks for this himself," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"He wants to stay here until he can fly to Latin America," Tatyana Lokshina of Human Rights Watch is quoted as saying.
But Russian lawmaker Vyacheslav Nikonov, who also attended the meeting at Sheremetyevo airport, said Mr Snowden did not specify whether he was seeking temporary or permanent asylum.
"He said that he needs asylum in Russia to freely move around," Mr Nikonov said. "It suits him perfectly well staying in the airport because everything is fine here. The only thing he wants is to be given freedom of movement."
Mr Snowden is wanted by the US on charges of leaking secrets about US surveillance schemes.Mr Snowden 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.
It is thought he is considering seeking political asylum in Russia because he cannot fly out of Moscow. "He wants to stay here until he can fly to Latin America," Tatyana Lokshina of Human Rights Watch is quoted as saying. The American is unable to leave the transit zone without asylum documents, a valid passport or a Russian visa, none of which he reportedly has.
Mr Snowden is unable to leave the transit zone without asylum documents, a valid passport or a Russian visa, none of which he reportedly has.
'Unlawful campaign''Unlawful campaign'
The American has reportedly been stuck in transit since arriving in Moscow from Hong Kong on 23 June.The American has reportedly been stuck in transit since arriving in Moscow from Hong Kong on 23 June.
On Friday, the first photo in three weeks of Mr Snowden emerged. It was taken by Ms Lokshina during the airport meeting.On Friday, the first photo in three weeks of Mr Snowden emerged. It was taken by Ms Lokshina during the airport meeting.
Other activists present at the gathering included Sergei Nikitin, the head of Amnesty International's Russia office, prominent Moscow lawyer Genri Reznik and Russia's presidential human rights ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin.Other activists present at the gathering included Sergei Nikitin, the head of Amnesty International's Russia office, prominent Moscow lawyer Genri Reznik and Russia's presidential human rights ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin.
Mr Lukin was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying Mr Snowden should be given refugee status instead of political asylum in Russia. "It would be better if the UN or Red Cross did it," he said.
A large press scrum gathered at the airport ahead of the meeting, while Interfax reported Mr Snowden had moved from his room in the airport's Capsule Hotel to attend the meeting.A large press scrum gathered at the airport ahead of the meeting, while Interfax reported Mr Snowden had moved from his room in the airport's Capsule Hotel to attend the meeting.
Ms Lokshina earlier posted the text of Mr Snowden's invitation email on her Facebook page.Ms Lokshina earlier posted the text of Mr Snowden's invitation email on her Facebook page.
In the message, the 30-year-old fugitive complained that the US government was waging an "unlawful campaign" to prevent him from securing asylum.In the message, the 30-year-old fugitive complained that the US government was waging an "unlawful campaign" to prevent him from securing asylum.
"This dangerous escalation represents a threat not just to the dignity of Latin America or my own personal security, but to the basic right shared by every living person to live free from persecution," the message read."This dangerous escalation represents a threat not just to the dignity of Latin America or my own personal security, but to the basic right shared by every living person to live free from persecution," the message read.
The email said the fugitive wanted to discuss the "next steps forward" in his situation.The email said the fugitive wanted to discuss the "next steps forward" in his situation.
It also instructed those attending to bring a copy of the invitation and identification papers because of tight security.It also instructed those attending to bring a copy of the invitation and identification papers because of tight security.
The meeting was not open to the press. Mr Snowden said he planned to address journalists at a later stage.The meeting was not open to the press. Mr Snowden said he planned to address journalists at a later stage.
Mr Snowden had already tried to apply for Russian asylum but President Putin said at the time he would only be welcome if he stopped "his work aimed at inflicting damage on our American partners".Mr Snowden had already tried to apply for Russian asylum but President Putin said at the time he would only be welcome if he stopped "his work aimed at inflicting damage on our American partners".
Even if a country accepted the American's application, getting there could prove difficult.Even if a country accepted the American's application, getting there could prove difficult.
Last week, several European countries refused to allow the jet of Bolivian president Evo Morales to cross their airspace on its way back from Moscow - apparently because of suspicions that Edward Snowden was on board.Last week, several European countries refused to allow the jet of Bolivian president Evo Morales to cross their airspace on its way back from Moscow - apparently because of suspicions that Edward Snowden was on board.
China tensionsChina tensions
Washington is seeking to prosecute Mr Snowden over the leaking of thousands of classified US intelligence documents.Washington is seeking to prosecute Mr Snowden over the leaking of thousands of classified US intelligence documents.
The leaks have led to revelations that the National Security Agency is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data.The leaks have led to revelations that the National Security Agency is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data.
They have also revealed that both the UK and French intelligence agencies allegedly run similarly vast data collection operations, and the US has been eavesdropping on official EU communications.They have also revealed that both the UK and French intelligence agencies allegedly run similarly vast data collection operations, and the US has been eavesdropping on official EU communications.
The case has strained relations between the US and China.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.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.A US government official said the decision had undermined calls for co-operation between the two countries.
But China said Hong Kong - which allowed Mr Snowden to leave for Russia - had acted in accordance with the territory's law.But China said Hong Kong - which allowed Mr Snowden to leave for Russia - had acted in accordance with the territory's law.
"Its approach is beyond reproach," Chinese state councillor Yang Jiechi said."Its approach is beyond reproach," Chinese state councillor Yang Jiechi said.