A Russian Federal Migration Service official has warned Edward Snowden that he might be in danger if he leaves the airport as he is a wanted man.
Head of the Federal Migration Service's public council, Vladimir Volokh, has warned that if the American fugitive leaves Sheremetyevo airport, Moscow can't guarantee his safety.
"I don't think it is good for Snowden to travel freely in Russia, as he is wanted now," said Vladimir Volokh, adding that he believes the safest zone for Snowden is to remain either at the airport transit zone or in areas under the jurisdiction of the Federal Migration Service.
The warning follows a letter from Washington assuring Moscow that Snowden would not face the death penalty or torture if he is extradited back to the United States to face espionage charges.
Snowden is holed up in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for the past month and is awaiting temporary asylum in the country.
The former National Security Agency contractor made asylum requests to more than 25 countries but only a few Latin American countries offered him refuge. He wants to fly to a Latin American country once he is granted a temporary asylum in Russia.
Snowden's passport had been revoked by his government on charges of espionage and theft of government property. He said that he leaked the U.S. National Security Agency's surveillance program of monitoring movements and communications of people because he believed it was the right thing to do.
President Putin had earlier said that Russia would grant him asylum if stopped any further revelations about the U.S. surveillance program.
However, Snowden's presence in Russia has become the latest point of dispute between Washington and Moscow. The two sides are already in disagreement over Washington's decision to arm Syrian rebels.
