Snowden Given A Three- Year Stay Permit in Russia

Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency whistle-blower, has been given a three-year residency permission to stay in Russia, according to Russian media reports.

Anatoly G. Kucherena, Snowden's lawyer,  said at a news conference that Snowden had not been granted asylum but was allowed to stay on in Russia till  2017.

Snowden's political asylum status must be decided by a separate procedure, Mr Kucherena said, reports the Independent.

Snowden's one year residential permission ended on Aug.1. There were reports that Snowden was heading to Latin America  but it seems that Russia is happy to allow him to extend hi stay there.

This move is sure to add to the already simmering tensions between Russia and the United States, which are at an all-time low over Russia's support of the separatists in Ukraine and the downing of the Malaysian passenger plane MH17 by the insurgents.

The United States and the European Union countries have imposed sanctions against Russia. In retaliation, Russia has imposed its own sanctions against all food imports from the European countries.

Snowden's lawyer revealed that he will be eligible for citizenship after 5 years of stay. He works in the information technology field and is supported by anonymous donors, reports The New York Times.

"The government cannot provide him with housing, despite the fact that he was granted a residence permit," Mr. Kucherena said. "He leads a rather modest lifestyle."

Snowden has been declared a fugitive by the United States government for exposing intelligence secrets including the NSA's role  in monitoring millions of email messages.