MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former United States spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, who is wanted in the United States on espionage charges, has requested temporary asylum in Russia, a Russian lawyer told Reuters on Tuesday.

Snowden, who revealed details of US government surveillance programmes, has been stranded at a Moscow airport since June 23.

Lawyer Anatoly Kucherena confirmed Snowden had filed an application for temporary asylum, although the American has said he wants to eventually travel to Latin America.