NSA Leak Edward Snowden Granted Asylum in Russia

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting today that Edward Snowden, the man at the center of the National Security Agency (NSA) security leaks, has been granted asylum for at least one year in Russia. The agreement allows Snowden to travel within the country, and could be extended after the year.

Snowden has been at the Moscow airport since leaving Hong Kong on June 23. According to his lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, the highly sought after Snowden will remain at a secret location for now for his own security.

Despite the demands of the U.S. government that Snowden be turned over for prosecution, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted the asylum on condition he stops leaking U.S. secrets. Snowden reportedly agreed to the terms.

In addition to Russia, Snowden has also had offers of asylum from several countries in South America including Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia. With his US passport currently revoked by the US, making the trip to any other location however was problematic.

From its twitter account, WikiLeaks, which is supporting Snowden, posted, “We would like to thank the Russian people and all those others who have helped to protect Mr. Snowden…” “We have won the battle – now the war.”