Article content

Russian authorities have extended a residence permit for U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked thousands of secret documents from the National Security Agency.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a post on Facebook late Tuesday that Snowden’s residence permit has been extended for “a couple of years.” Russia’s RIA news agency said the permit will be valid until 2020.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Russia extends residence permit for Edward Snowden, who may qualify for citizenship next year Back to video

Reuters reports Snowden’s lawyer said the whistleblower will be able to qualify for Russian citizenship next year and be able to get a passport.

Snowden has been living in Russia since 2013 when he got stuck in the transit area at a Moscow airport after the United States cancelled his passport.

The announcement comes as U.S. President Barack Obama has commuted the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, who was convicted for leaking more than 700,000 U.S. documents.

Reporters asked presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday whether Snowden was planning to return to the United States in reaction to the Manning pardon. Peskov said the Kremlin is not aware what Snowden’s plans are.



With files from the National Post