Snowden applies to extend his stay in Russia

US whistleblower Edward Snowden has officially asked to extend his stay in Russia after his visa expires, his lawyer has told the BBC.

Anatoly Kucherena confirmed that paperwork had been submitted to Russias Federal Migration Service.

The current document granting him temporary asylum expires on July 31.

Snowden fled the US in May 2013 and has been living under temporary asylum in Russia. Last year, he fed a trove of secret intelligence to news outlets.

We have gone through the procedure of getting temporary asylum. We have submitted documents for extending his stay in Russia, Kucherena told reporters on Wednesday.

The lawyer did not say for how long Snowden wanted to stay in Russia, or whether he wanted to become a Russian citizen.

Snowden became stranded in the international airport at Moscow last year while travelling from Hong Kong to Cuba. He was in effect trapped in the airports transit zone for several weeks before the Russian government allowed him refugee status for a year.

He went to Russia shortly after leaking details of the National Security Agencys international surveillance and telephone-tapping operation.

Russias decision to give asylum to Snowden a former NSA contractor was strongly criticised by the United States.

Correspondents say that while Snowden has in recent weeks increased his media visibility in Russia by giving several closely monitored interviews, he has conceded that he would like to go home, where he faces spying charges that could result in a substantial jail sentence.

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Snowden applies to extend his stay in Russia