Edward Snowden has condemned a “dangerous” package of anti-terrorism legislation passed by Russia’s parliament last week, in a rare criticism of the authorities in his host country.

Mr Snowden, who fled to Russia in 2013 after exposing an surveillance programme run by the US National Security Agency (NSA), urged Vladimir Putin to reject an ”unjustifiable violation of rights".

Mr Snowden described the bill approved by the State Duma as a “Big Brother law” that was “unworkable” and “should never be signed”.

He added: “Mass surveillance doesn't work. This bill will take money and liberty from every Russian without improving safety.”