Fugitive Snowden can leave Moscow airport: lawyer

[dipsydoodle]

(Reuters) - Former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden has received papers allowing him to leave the Moscow airport where he has been stranded for more than a month, Russia's Interfax news agency said on Thursday.

"I have just passed him documents from Russia's Federal Migration Service," Interfax quoted Anatoly Kucherena, a Russian lawyer assisting Snowden in his request for temporary asylum request, as saying.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/01/us-usa-security-snowden-russia-idUSBRE9700N120130801

[xchrom]

1. du rec.

[chimpymustgo]

2. Godspeed, Edward Snowden. Please stay safe, and find comfort and peace. You are a hero.

[xchrom]

3. Indeed. Nt

[Waiting For Everyman]

10. That's my thought too. nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. already left the transit zone

Snowden has already left the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, an RT crew at the scene has confirmed.

http://rt.com/news/snowden-entry-papers-russia-902/

[Violet_Crumble]

5. I'm really glad Russia gave him asylum. I wish him all the best n/t

[chimpymustgo]

6. Tuning in to RT right now! They cannot confirm that he has left the airport.

Lawyer is showing copy of Snowden's visa.

[chimpymustgo]

7. RT now confirming Snowden has left the airport.

Anchors wondering whether he got into a diplomatic car.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Snowden granted 1-year asylum in Russia, leaves airport

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and is allowed to enter the country’s territory.

The whistleblower has been granted temporary political asylum in Russia, Snowden's legal representative Anatoly Kucherena said.


>

He departed at around 15.30 Moscow time (11.30 GMT), airport sources said. His departure came some 30 minutes before his new refugee status was officially announced.

His present location has not been made public nor will it be disclosed, Kucherena said, adding that Snowden is among the most wanted people in the world.

Snowden was unaccompanied when he left the airport in a regular taxi, Kucherena added.

http://rt.com/news/snowden-entry-papers-russia-902/

[The Link]

9. Rec.

[Catherina]

11. Awesome news to wake up to!

Godspeed Ed.

[marions ghost]

12. OK

[Catherina]

13. With asylum status, Snowden cannot be handed over, even if US ever finally makesan official request

With his newly-awarded legal status in Russia, Snowden cannot be handed over to the US authorities, even if Washington files an official request. He can now be transported to the United States only if he agrees to go voluntarily.

Snowden departed at around 15.30 Moscow time (11.30 GMT), airport sources said. His departure came some 30 minutes before his new refugee status was officially announced.

His present location has not been made public nor will it be disclosed, Kucherena said.

“He is the most wanted person on earth and his security will be a priority,” the attorney explained. “He will deal with personal security issues and lodging himself. I will just consult him as his lawyer.”

Snowden eventually intends to talk to the press in Russia, but needs at least one day of privacy, Kucherena said.

http://rt.com/news/snowden-entry-papers-russia-902/

Now stay away from the people at Human Rights Watch.

[sabrina 1]

20. They are also arranging for his father to visit him in the future.

Very glad he is out of the airport. Yesterday's revelations should end any denials of what he said regarding being able to access the CONTENT of anyone's data.

And if Congress was already defying the leadership of their parties and going ahead with plans of another bill to end some of these abuses, what was revealed yesterday should bring support from the White House.

Many members of Congress credited the leaks from Snowden for making them aware of the seriuos problems involved in these multi-billion dollar programs.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. The White House wants this program to remain in place

This is party independent.

[sabrina 1]

23. I think this is going to be a big fight and if Dems want to win in 2014 they will need to resist

any pressure they get from the leadership of the party.

They need to not allow Republicans to grab this issue as their own. Hypocritical would not be the word if that were to happen, considering their party fully supported every bad policy Bush put in place.

But I could see it happening if Dems cave to any pressure.

So far they are showing signs of not caving to pressure from the leadership which is good.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. I know my bum has to go

First termer, so called dem, voted for this and to defund ACA

Reason 10000 why I am so cynical any longer. If the previous occupant staid in seat none of that would shock me, sadly none shocked me either here.

[warrprayer]

14. K&R

[Savannahmann]

15. Now waiting for the howls of those who want him to stand trial.

A totally fair trial, with a totally fair jury of people who think Snowden should get life in the electric chair.

Seriously, a little quiet about this so far. I am surprised that the news sites are still so quiet.

[Catherina]

16. All is not lost They can redirect that energy to howl for Lady to stand trial in Italy for rendition

http://www.juancole.com/2013/07/whistleblower-treatment-engelhardt.html

Predictable crickets on that one

[backscatter712]

19. The usual suspects are late with their daily Two Minutes Hate thread.

Probably cooking up new talking points...

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. One, two punch

We need....new...talking points...

[RetroLounge]

17. Have the usual suspects started their multiple we-hate-Snowden threads yet?

They must be watching Fox waiting for their talking points.

RL

[backscatter712]

18. Excellent news!

I'll bet Snowden's glad to get out of there!