 "Snowden case could affect US-Russia ties")
Recent reports have suggested that the former U.S. spy agency contractor, Edward Snowden, facing charges of espionage is still in Moscow. This is after Ecuador, where Snowden has requested asylum, said that the decision could take months. Russia has stated that Snowden, whose flight is proving a growing embarrassment for President Barack Obama, was still in the transit area of Sheremetyevo airport.
Earlier this month, Snowden had left US to Hong Kong after leaking details of secret US government surveillance programmes, and then flew on to Moscow on Sunday. He has not been seen in the transit area - the zone between the departure gate and formal entry into the country - since his arrival, although a receptionist at a hotel in the transit zone said he looked at the prices there on Sunday, then left.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that Snowden was being interviewed by Russian intelligence and called any US accusations that Moscow was aiding him “ravings and rubbish”. There was no sign of Snowden registering for onward flights out of Russia on Wednesday. “They are not flying today and not over the next three days,” an Aeroflot representative at Sheremetyevo said when asked if Snowden and his legal adviser, Briton Sarah Harrison, were due to fly out. “They are not in the system.”
Whistle blowercould disturb US-Russia ties
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Wednesday that Snowden’s leaks to news media had been a “serious security breach” that damaged U.S. national security. “I would hope that the Russians do the right thing here and hand him over.” Hagel told a Pentagon news conference.
Putin has said he will not extradite Snowden. By declaring that he is in the transit area, Russian authorities maintain the position that he has not formally entered Russia - a step that would take the dispute to another level.
Russian law requires travellers who spend more than 24 hours in the airport’s transit area - as Snowden has done - to obtain a transit visa, which in some cases is valid for three days. It is unclear whether Snowden has sought or received a visa, and if so when it would expire. The United States said on Sunday it had revoked Snowden’s passport.
Several people, mainly refugees, have been able to stay in Moscow’s airports for months. What is clear is that the longer the situation remains unresolved, the more it could fray U.S.-Russian ties.
Reuters