Snowden withdraws request for Russia asylum – KremlinJuly 2, 2013 - 12:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Edward Snowden, the former U.S. intelligence contractor wanted by the United States for leaking state secrets, asked for asylum in Russia but withdrew his request after hearing Russia’s conditions for granting it, a Kremlin spokesman said Tuesday, July 2, accoridng to RIA Novosti. “Snowden did voice a request to remain in Russia. Then, yesterday, hearing President Putin outline Russia’s position regarding the conditions under which he could do this, he withdrew his request for permission to stay in Russia,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. On Monday evening, Putin said: “If he wants to go somewhere [another country] and is accepted, he can. If he wants to stay here, there is one condition: He must stop his work aimed at harming our U.S. partners, no matter how strange this may sound coming from me.” Peskov confirmed that Snowden is in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and had not crossed Russia’s state border. “He [Snowden] does not currently wish to remain in Russia,” Peskov said, and also stressed that Russia’s secret services have never worked with Snowden.“He is not their agent,” Peskov clarified. Earlier on Tuesday, the WikiLeaks site published a list of 21 countries to which Snowden had submitted asylum requests. In addition to Cuba, Ecuador and Iceland, which had been rumored to be his preferred destinations, the list also includes countries in Western Europe such as Austria, France, Germany and Italy. China is also on the list. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |