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US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has not yet accepted an offer of asylum in Venezuela, the WikiLeaks website said today, after a Russian lawmaker sparked confusion over the American's status.
Alexei Pushkov, head of the Russian lower house of parliament's international affairs committee, said on Twitter earlier Tuesday that Snowden had agreed to an offer from Caracas, but then later deleted the posting.
"Edward Snowden has not yet formally accepted asylum in Venezuela. The Russian lawmaker concerned has deleted the tweet," WikiLeaks said on its Twitter account.
"The states concerned will make the announcement if and when the appropriate time comes. The announcement will then be confirmed by us."
WikiLeaks is helping Snowden and has had a staff member stuck with him at a Moscow airport for more than two weeks while he tries to find a country that will help him escape US justice.
Venezeulan President Nicolas Maduro called on Snowden yesterday to decide if he wanted to fly to Caracas.
