A man walks past Terminal F of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, where <a >U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden </a>has been holed up since arriving June 23 from Hong Kong. The ex-National Security Agency contractor has admitted leaking classified documents about U.S. surveillance programs and faces espionage charges in the United States. In his first public appearance since arriving at Sheremetyevo, <a >Snowden met with human rights activists and lawyers </a>Friday, July 12, in the airport's transit zone. While it's still not clear if Russia will grant Snowden's temporary asylum request, he can leave the airport, Russian media report.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
A man walks past Terminal F of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, where U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has been holed up since arriving June 23 from Hong Kong. The ex-National Security Agency contractor has admitted leaking classified documents about U.S. surveillance programs and faces espionage charges in the United States. In his first public appearance since arriving at Sheremetyevo, Snowden met with human rights activists and lawyers Friday, July 12, in the airport's transit zone. While it's still not clear if Russia will grant Snowden's temporary asylum request, he can leave the airport, Russian media report.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
An employee works the reception desk in the Capsule Hotel "Air Express" in Terminal F. Snowden has not officially entered Russia but is in the airport's transit area, the zone between arrival gates and passport control checkpoints. It includes terminals D, E and F.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
An employee works the reception desk in the Capsule Hotel "Air Express" in Terminal F. Snowden has not officially entered Russia but is in the airport's transit area, the zone between arrival gates and passport control checkpoints. It includes terminals D, E and F.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in the airport's transit area. Snowden's exact location in the <a >transit lounge has remained a mystery</a>, and he cannot step foot on Russian soil without special visa clearance. Snowden said he is requesting asylum from Russia while awaiting safe passage to Latin America, according to a transcript issued by WikiLeaks.<br />
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
People wait in the airport's transit area. Snowden's exact location in the transit lounge has remained a mystery, and he cannot step foot on Russian soil without special visa clearance. Snowden said he is requesting asylum from Russia while awaiting safe passage to Latin America, according to a transcript issued by WikiLeaks.
MAXIM SHEMETOV/Reuters/Landov
Passengers walk through Terminal D. Legally, Moscow has taken the view that Snowden has not cleared passport control and therefore is not on Russian soil.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
Passengers walk through Terminal D. Legally, Moscow has taken the view that Snowden has not cleared passport control and therefore is not on Russian soil.
Liu Yiran/XINHUA/LANDOV
A view of one of the rooms in the Capsule Hotel "Air Express" in Terminal F.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
A view of one of the rooms in the Capsule Hotel "Air Express" in Terminal F.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
People wait at the transit area of the airport. Sheremetyevo has an expansive area for transit passengers.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
People wait at the transit area of the airport. Sheremetyevo has an expansive area for transit passengers.
MAXIM SHEMETOV/REUTERS/LANDOV
Terminal E hosts the Capsule Hotel.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
Terminal E hosts the Capsule Hotel.
Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/AP
Staff check in passengers in Terminal D on July 5.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
Staff check in passengers in Terminal D on July 5.
Liu Yiran/XINHUA/LANDOV
A woman stands at the entrance that links terminals D and E at Sheremetyevo.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
A woman stands at the entrance that links terminals D and E at Sheremetyevo.
Ding Yuan/XINHUA/LANDOV
A passenger walks between terminals D and E on July 5.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
A passenger walks between terminals D and E on July 5.
Liu Yiran/XINHUA/LANDOV
The departure board shows when a flight is leaving from Moscow to Havana, Cuba.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
The departure board shows when a flight is leaving from Moscow to Havana, Cuba.
SERGEI ILNITSKY/EPA/LANDOV
A Russian airline employee moves through Terminal F on July 6.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
A Russian airline employee moves through Terminal F on July 6.
Ding Yuan/XINHUA/LANDOV
A passenger rests inside the airport on July 9.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
A passenger rests inside the airport on July 9.
Ivan Sekretarev/AP
Snowden has requested political asylum in dozens of countries, sparking speculation about his next steps. Venezuela has offered him asylum, but finding a way to travel from the Russian airport to Caracas may require some creative maneuvering.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
Snowden has requested political asylum in dozens of countries, sparking speculation about his next steps. Venezuela has offered him asylum, but finding a way to travel from the Russian airport to Caracas may require some creative maneuvering.
Dai He/XINHUA/LANDOV
People line up before boarding an Aeroflot flight to Havana on July 6. Such a flight could offer connections to Venezuela.<a > If Snowden accepts the leftist goverment's asylum offer</a>, he must figure out how to get there without passing through U.S. airspace or that of other nations friendly to the United States.
Inside Russia's Sheremetyevo airport —
People line up before boarding an Aeroflot flight to Havana on July 6. Such a flight could offer connections to Venezuela. If Snowden accepts the leftist goverment's asylum offer, he must figure out how to get there without passing through U.S. airspace or that of other nations friendly to the United States.
MAXIM SHEMETOV/Reuters/Landov