For a few hours it appeared as if Edward Snowden would finally be leaving the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport but Snowden did not receive the proper paperwork to do so according to his lawyer, the BBC reports.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that an airport official who remained unnamed said that Snowden had been issued documents that would allow him to leave the airport. Anatoly Kucherena, Snowden's lawyer, said that Snowden does not have the paperwork to leave, yet, according to the BBC.

"He is not planning to leave for now," Kucherena said. "He asked for temporary asylum, which in the case of a positive decision is granted for a term of one year. Currently his final country of destination is Russia."

Snowden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency, has been a man without a country since leaking documents exposing the NSA's vast surveillance program. Snowden flew from Hong Kong to Russia and was thought to be en route to Ecuador but ended up being stuck in Russia without any travel documents. Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela have offered asylum to Snowden but it is unclear how he would be able to reach those countries, according to Reuters.

"I must say he is of course anxious about it and I hope that this situation will be resolved in the nearest future," Kucherena said. "This is the first time Russia is facing such a situation, and this issue of course requires time for the immigration workers."

Kucherena also told reporters that he had brought fresh underwear and shirts for Snowden to wear while he is trapped in the transit zone. Kucherena also gave Snowden a copy of "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky to read, according to Reuters.

The situation has been difficult for Russian President Vladimir Putin. If he allows Snowden to stay within Russia it will greatly upset relations with the U.S., if he hands Snowden over to American authorities it will be seen within Russia as showing weakness and giving in to the American demands.

Putin has said that as long as Snowden agrees to stop leaking secrets that Russia would consider granting him temporary asylum. For now the NSA whistle-blower appears to still be stuck in no-man's land.