Come here comrade

Putin likens Comey to Snowden and offers asylum in Russia

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin yesterday scoffed at former FBI director James Comey’s disclosure of his conversations with US President Donald Trump, saying the move has made Mr Comey eligible for political asylum in Russia.

Mr Putin, speaking in a live call-in show with the Russian nation, likened Mr Comey to NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who has been living in Russia since being granted asylum in 2013.

“It looks weird when the chief of a security agency records his conversation with the commander-in-chief and then hands it over to media via his friend,” Mr Putin said.

“What’s the difference then between the FBI director and Mr Snowden? In that case he’s more of a rights campaigner defending a certain position than chief.”

On an acerbic note, he added that if Mr Comey “faces some sort of persecution in connection with that, we are ready to offer political asylum in Russia to him as well”.

The remarks reflected Mr Putin’s annoyance with the congressional and FBI investigations into links between Trump campaign officials and the security agency Russia, which have haunted the White House, shattering Moscow’s hopes for improving ties with Washington.

The Russian President reaffirmed his denial of meddling in the US election.

Meantime, Mr Trump has responded angrily to reports he is under criminal investigation, deriding a “witch hunt” against him led by some “very bad” people.

“You are witnessing the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history – led by some very bad and conflicted people!” he tweeted.

The FBI probe, now in the hands of special prosecutor Robert Mueller, shifted its focus to allegations of obstruction of justice in the days after Mr Trump fired the agency’s then director Mr Comey on May 9.