Snowden withdraws Russia asylum petition as options dwindle

Former Booz Allen Hamilton employee-turned-fugitive document leaker Edward Snowden withdrawn his request for political asylum in Russia as his options for shelter in other countries appear to be dwindling.

Former Booz Allen Hamilton employee-turned-fugitive document leaker Edward Snowden withdrawn his request for political asylum in Russia as his options for shelter in other countries appear to be dwindling.

Numerous media outlets reporting from Moscow say that a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Snowden withdrew his request for asylum in that country less than two days after submitting it.

The spokesman did reiterate that Russia has no intention of extraditing Snowden back to the United States.

Snowden has been in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport since arriving there from Hong Kong about 10 days ago.

On Sunday, a lawyer from Julian Assange's WikiLeaks organization, who is traveling with Snowden, had submitted a formal request for asylum in Russia.

Snowden apparently decided to withdraw the request after Putin said he could only remain in Russia as long a he did not leak more information that could harm American interests.