LONDON/MOSCOW. July 15 (Interfax) - Former CIA employee Edward Snowden said he accepted proposals of all countries ready to grant him political asylum.
"I announce today my formal acceptance of all offers of support or asylum that have been extended to me and all others that may be offered in the future," Snowden said in statement posted on Wikileaks website on Friday.
"Countries around the world have offered support and asylum. These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations carried out by the powerful rather than the powerless," Snowden said.
Snowden, who is currently in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, said he intended to submit his request for temporary asylum to Russia on Friday.
Snowden said he needed temporary asylum until he received the necessary documents that would allow him to go to Latin America.