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Edward Snowden Finally Leaves Moscow's Airport After Getting Asylum

Russian news services have reported that Edward Snowden has received his official travel documents (for real this time!) and has actually left Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.

By Dashiell Bennett
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Russian news services have reported that Edward Snowden has received his official travel documents (for real this time!) and has actually left Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. A lawyer who has been representing Snowden in Russia told Interfax news agency that he "just handed over" papers from the Russian Immigration Service and that Snowden has been granted a temporary asylum that will last for one year, while they continue to consider his request for a more permanent status.

The papers finally allow him to leave the airport's transit zone where has been living in a legal limbo since June 23. RT.com and RIA news service are both reporting that he immediately left the airport for an undisclosed location. The lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told The Wall Street Journal that he put Snowden in a taxi and the NSA leaker left the airport alone. Kucherena said Snowden's destination will not be revealed because "He is the most wanted person on earth and his security will be a priority." His asylum papers would grant him the right to travel anywhere on Russian soil and prevents the government from extraditing him to the United States.

The temporary asylum can also be renewed after the year is up.

Update: Russian TV has now broadcast an image that appears to be Snowden leaving the airport.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.