The Moscow government said Thursday, that it had not received any extradition request from the Washington government to transfer the U.S. whistleblower, Edward Snowden back to America.
The Russian Justice Ministry said it received a letter from the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder explaining Washington's position on the Snowden case but no extradition request was made.
"This document did not contain requests for the extradition or deportation of this individual," the Interfax news agency quoted the ministry as saying in a statement.
Responding to the Russian Justice Ministry's statement, Michael McFaul, the U.S. ambassador to Russia said in a tweet, Thursday, that the government didn't appeal to Moscow for an extradition but instead Russia to return Snowden to the U.S.
Snowden is still in limbo in the transit zone of Moscow since he flew down from Hong Kong, June 23 following an arrest warrant issued by the U.S. government on charges of espionage and theft of government property.
The Washington administration had expressed its protest against Hong Kong for escorting the American fugitive to fly to Russia. Hong Kong later explained that the U.S. government got Snowden's middle name wrong in the extradition request which is why they couldn't stop Snowden from flying to Russia.
As soon as the Obama administration came to know Snowden was on board to a third country via Russia, it revoked Snowden's passport.
While being marooned in the Moscow's airport, Snowden requested for asylum to more than 25 countries but only a few countries in Latin America, which don't really share a "sweeter than honey" relationship with Washington, agreed to grant him the asylum. However, Snowden has been unable to travel since his documents have been revoked.
Meanwhile, Snowden has also applied for a temporary asylum in Russia and hopes to move out of the transit zone soon.
Snowden's Russian lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena Wednesday said the American aims to stay in Russia in the near future and learn the country's culture and language.
Angered by Russia's patience towards Snowden's presence in Moscow, White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, Wednesday repeated Washington's claim that there is "ample precedent and legal justification" for the Moscow government to return the American fugitive as he faces charges in the United States for "unauthorized leaking of highly classified information."
