Russia has granted Edward Snowden the permission to stay in the country for three more years.
Analtoly Kucherena, his lawyer, said on Thursday that Russia had although agreed to grant residency to the National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower for three more years but he has not been granted political asylum as yet, which would mean that he would be able to stay in Russia permanently, reported News.com.au.
Kucherena added that political asylum is sought through a different procedure but didn't mention if Snowden is seeking it.
Snowden was stranded in a Moscow airport last year while he was travelling from Hong Kong to Cuba after he had leaked documents about NSA's surveillance programs. He spent a month in the airport before seeking a temporary asylum from Russia. He was granted the permission to stay in Russia for a year and the period expired on August 1.