Snowden asks Russia to extend his asylum
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Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden wants to stay in Russia for another year, according to local news reports.
Russian news service RT reported Wednesday that Snowden has formally asked Russia to extend his asylum there, as he faces U.S. charges for leaking government surveillance details. "We have submitted documents to prolong his stay in Russia," Anatoly Kucherena, one of Snowden's lawyers, told RT.
Snowden arrived in Moscow on June 24, 2013, and his asylum expires on July 31. The U.S. wants Snowden extradited to face espionage charges, but Russia has no legal obligation to give Snowden to the U.S., as it doesn't have an extradition treaty with America.
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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
