US warns Russia over Snowden

US whistleblower Edward Snowden has sought asylum in Russia since becoming marooned at a Moscow airport three weeks ago during a globe-trotting flight from charges of espionage.

His move prompted US President Barack Obama to phone Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, presumably to demand the return of the 30-year-old former analyst at the National Security Agency, who triggered one of the biggest intelligence leaks in American history.

White House spokesman Jay Carney warned Russia against allowing Mr Snowden a “propaganda platform”.

At least 200 television camera operators and reporters stampeded through terminal F at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport as a group of about 10 human rights activists, lawyers and at least one Russian MP were ushered through a door marked “staff only”. Snowden was accompanied by British WikiLeaks activist Sarah Harrison.

Snowded told his guests he had no regrets about exposing details of “massive, pervasive surveillance” by US intelligence agencies, but that he was forced to apply for “temporary political asylum” in Russia while he secured an onward route to Latin America, where he hoped to seek final refuge.

“I did not seek to enrich myself. I did not seek to sell US secrets. I did not partner with any foreign government to guarantee my safety. Instead, I took what I knew to the public so what affects all of us can be discussed by all of us,” he said. —©