Snowden seeks political asylum in Russia, accepts Putin terms

Moscow: Former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden has asked for “temporary” political asylum in Russia, agreeing to President Vladimir Putin’s condition to stop “harming” American interests.

Vyacheslav Nikonov, a member of the State Duma, said Snowden has accepted the Kremlin's condition that he must stop harming US interests if he wants to stay in Russia, reported Xinhua.

Nikonov was among about a dozen activists and officials who met with Snowden in the transit zone at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where he has been marooned for weeks.

Related paperwork for the asylum request would take weeks, said Nikonov, adding that Snowden said he felt safe at the airport.

Earlier reports quoting other sources said Snowden intends to seek temporary asylum in Russia before he could fly to Latin America eventually.