"I don't mind if my son stays in Russia", Snowden's father

Mascow, July 31: "I don't mind if my son stays in Russia as long as he is safe" says, father of US fugitive Edward Snowden in Russia's national television on Wednesday.

"Edward, I hope you are watching this. Your family is well. We love you. We hope you are healthy, we hope you are well, I hope to see you soon, but most of all I want you to be safe. I want you to find a safe haven," Lon Snowden said in an interview broadcast in Russia's television.

The intelligence leaker has been held up in Sheremetyevo airport outside Mascow since June 23, when he flew in from Hong Kong.

Edward is currently awaiting a response to his request for temporary asylum in Russia.

Meanwhile United Stated is putting pressure on Russia to hand over the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, who Washington wants to put him on trail.

Lon also said that he hoped his son would return home one day and he also pointed that events over the past few weeks suggested hat there were no guarantees of a fair trial in the United States, and that he therefore agreed with his son's decision to remain in Russia.

OneIndia News

(with agency inputs)