The father of fugitive former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden has arrived in Russia to visit his son.
Lon Snowden told journalists on his arrival in Moscow that he
felt "extreme gratitude that my son is safe and secure and he's free".
Edward Snowden was granted asylum in Russia in August after
weeks spent in a transit zone at Moscow airport when the US revoked his
travel documents.
The 30-year-old leaked many thousands of US intelligence documents.
The information, published in The Guardian and Washington
Post newspapers, revealed extensive internet and phone surveillance by
both US and British intelligence.
In the US, Edward Snowden faces charges of theft of
government property, unauthorised communication of national defence
information and wilful communication of classified communications
intelligence.
Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
The decision by Russia to grant asylum to Edward Snowden
added to already tense relations with the US. Washington cancelled a
bilateral summit in September.
Lon Snowden, arriving at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, was met by his son's Russian lawyer, reports say.
He said he had not yet had any direct contact with his son.
He has in the past praised his son for speaking "the truth"
and making great sacrifices, and said that although he wants his son to
return to the US he is concerned that he would not face a fair trial.
SOURCE: BBC
