NSA leaker Snowden may get temporary permit to stay in Russia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Fugitive former National Security Agency employee Edward Snowden, who has been living in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport for three weeks, could be issued a special document which would allow him to stay in Russia while his asylum request is considered, a law enforcement source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday, July 16, the news agency reported.

If Snowden files a request for refugee status with the Federal Migration Service, the request will be considered, the source said, even though Snowden's passport was recently canceled by the US and he is currently not in possession of any valid documents. An initial hearing of Snowden's request would take up to five days and the examination proper up to three months, the source said. The Federal Migration Service can extend that period by another three months in special cases.

“If a decision is made to examine a request, the applicant is issued a document to this effect. This document will also serve as his or her ID and will give the applicant the right to stay in Russia for the duration of the procedure,” the source said.

Snowden will be able to appeal the decision if his asylum request is rejected, the source added. “The applicant cannot be deported while his appeal is being heard.”