MOSCOW, November 1 (Itar-Tass) - Fugitive CIA contractor Edward Snowden, who is currently living under temporary political asylum in Russia, will lose his refugee status in case he leaves the territory of the Russian Federation, Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena told journalists, answering the question on whether or not Snowden would be able to travel as a witness to Germany.
On Thursday, the Deputy of the German Bundestag representing the Alliance `90/The Greens faction, Hans-Christian Stroebele met with Edward Snowden in Moscow. The German politician discussed with him whether and on which conditions the former CIA contractor might be questioned as a witness by the German prosecutor general’s office or a relevant parliamentary committee over the scandal around the electronic surveillance on the part of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA).
Stroeble said after the meeting Snowden was willing to come to Germany to assist investigators and did not rule out the possibility of staying as a political refugee in Germany. He also noted Snowden had received temporary political asylum in Russia, upon the expiry of which he could be granted a residential permit in Germany.
“I will be glad to talk to you in your country as soon as the situation is cleared up,” Snowden was reported to say in his letter to the German government, the Bundestag and the prosecutor general’s office, which was read out publicly on Friday. “I am grateful for your efforts to protect international law.”