US whistleblower Edward Snowden who is currently in Russia has been granted permission to stay for three more years.
This is after his year-long leave to stay in Russia had expired on 31 July, his lawyer revealed.
Snowden fled the US in 2013 after leaking details of the National Security Agency’s surveillance and telephone-tapping operations.
He has been charged by the US with theft of government property and communicating classified information.
Mr Snowden’s lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told journalists that the request for an extension had been accepted.
“Accordingly, Edward Snowden was given a three-year residence permit,” which will allow him to move about freely and travel abroad, Mr Kucherena said.
Source: BBC
