Snowden does not rule out applying for Russian citizenship: Lawyer

Picture released by Human Rights Watch shows US National Security Agency (NSA) fugitive leaker Edward Snowden (centre) during a meeting with rights activists, with among them Sarah Harrison of WikiLeaks (left), at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, on Fr
Picture released by Human Rights Watch shows US National Security Agency (NSA) fugitive leaker Edward Snowden (centre) during a meeting with rights activists, with among them Sarah Harrison of WikiLeaks (left), at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, on Friday, July 12, 2013. Snowden, who has applied for temporary asylum in Russia, does not rule out applying for Russian citizenship, a lawyer assisting him said on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. -- FILE PHOTO: TANYA LOKSHINA / HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

MOSCOW (AFP) - United States intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, who has applied for temporary asylum in Russia, does not rule out applying for Russian citizenship, a lawyer assisting him said on Wednesday.

"He does not rule out the possibility of asking for Russian citizenship," prominent lawyer Anatoly Kucherena, who helped Snowden put together his asylum bid on Tuesday, told reporters.

"He told me: 'I am not going to go anywhere from Russia.'"

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