Snowden will gain freedom of movement if he gets refugee status - watchdog
MOSCOW. July 15 (Interfax) - A verbal application is not enough if former CIA and National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden is to be granted refuge or refugee status in Russia, the head of the Federal Migration Service's Public Council, Vladimir Volokh, told Interfax.
"Without a written request for political asylum, or for refugee status, no one will deal with the issue or make decisions. He must file his voluntary written request," Volokh said.
Snowden told Russian and international rights organizations and Russian Public Chamber members at the Sheremetyevo Airport's transit area on Friday that he cannot fly to Latin America and would like to remain in Russia.
Volokh also said that if Snowden files a written application to the Federal Migration Service, it will be processed within three to six months.
If Snowden gets refugee status, he will gain freedom of movement, he said, adding that, "like all Russian citizens he will have to get registered at the place of his residence."
Federal Migration Service officials said on Monday that no applications for refuge have been received from Snowden so far.