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Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a visit to Finland, said that US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden was still in the transit area at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
Saying that Snowden's arrival was completely unexpected, Putin voiced hope that the case would not impair relations with the US, Xinhua reported.
Putin said he would not turn over Snowden to US authorities because Russia did not have an extradition treaty with the country.
Snowden arrived at Moscow as a "transit passenger" and was free to go anywhere he choses, Putin said following a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.
However, the Russian president expressed hope that Snowden would soon find a destination to leave for.
