Russian MP calls it 'morally impermissible' for Russia to hand over NSA whistleblower

A Russian MP has reportedly said that it would be 'morally impermissible' for Russia to hand over NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to the US authorities.

Snowden who has been stuck up at Moscow's Shermetyevo airport's transit area has got his fate hanging as his passport has been revoked by the US and Russia must issue him travel documents so that he can claim for an asylum at the Ecuadorean Embassy.

According to News.com.au, head of the international affairs committee at the Duma lower house of parliament, Alexei Pushkov said that it is not a matter of Snowden's usefulness to Russia but of principles and it is wrong to hand over a political refugee.

Meanwhile, Kremlin has said that Snowden's issue is not on Kremlin's agenda while President Vladimir Putin said that Snowden cannot be extradited to the US due to lack of bilateral extradition agreement adding that he should choose his final destination soon.

Ecuador's president Rafael Correa has said that Snowden must be in Ecuadorean territory in order to claim the asylum and as he is stuck at the transit area in Moscow's airport, the decision lies with Moscow for his exit.

Senator Valery Shnyakin said that Moscow cannot be on sidelines and it should participate in deciding Snowden's fate.

Spokesman, Patrick Ventrell said that it will not be a good thing if Ecuador grants political asylum to Snowden as it will have grave difficulties for a bilateral relationship, the report added.