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Coverage of the Snowden case being broadcast in a café in Moscow Airport Sergei Grits/AP/Press Association Images

Russian official says Snowden case at 'dead end'

Moscow is refusing to respond to US efforts to have the former NSA contractor handed over.

FUGITIVE US INTELLIGENCE leaker Edward Snowden’s situation has hit a “dead end,” with Moscow refusing to respond to Washington’s unofficial requests to hand over the former National Security Agency contractor, a Russian official said today.

An unnamed Russian source close to the matter told the Interfax news agency that Moscow had so far received no formal extradition request from the United States.

“There have been contacts at an unofficial level, along diplomatic channels, with a request to detain and deport” Snowden, the unnamed official said.

But considering current strains in Russian-US relations over human rights issues and the Syria conflict, Moscow has refused to respond, the source said.

“These are not the grounds for any serious steps to be taken by Russia, especially considering the uneasy state of our bilateral relations,” the official said.

“The situation around Snowden is at a dead end.”

Snowden has spent the day holed up in a Moscow airport transit zone for a fifth day, awaiting a decision on his request for political asylum in Ecuador.

The 30-year-old arrived in Moscow from Hong Kong on a regular Aeroflot airlines flight on Sunday. He’s been on the run from US authorities since leaking top secret documents of domestic spying conducted by the NSA earlier this month.

The Russian source suggested that the situation will only be resolved once Ecuador or some other country decides to grant Snowden political asylum.

“The resolution will come when the authorities of any given country offer asylum to the former CIA agent,” the source said.

Read: Edward Snowden to follow Julian Assange to Ecuadoran shelter?

Read: US whistleblower Snowden charged with espionage for leaking secret documents

In full: More coverage of the ‘PRISM’ surveillance scandal

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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:45 AM

    They’d want to start by sorting out these water charges. Should be top of their agenda.

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    Mute Roscom-Man
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:36 AM

    I hope they are well rested after their break. What an absolute pack of wasters. Joan Burton has been offered a position as a forwards coach on the Irish ladies Rugby team. A very accomplished No.8 in her day

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    Mute Ian McG
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:38 AM

    Kenny can’t even manage a smile properly! What a nonsense photo though with them all trying to look hip

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    Mute KentuckyWindage
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:53 AM

    Who took this awful photo?
    My beloved Joan’s features are all blurred. The twinkle in her eye may be dimmed in this photo, but nothing can change the warmth of her heart.

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    Mute Firas
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:16 AM

    LMFAO – Well done sir! Gave me a chuckle.

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    Mute Ian O'Donovan
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:59 AM

    Forgot they were away..

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    Mute Chris Mackey
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:22 AM

    What do you mean they were but they are all ways away whats new. What we should be saying is Oh they are back

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    Mute Martin Coyle
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:16 AM

    God bless them all they look shattered, maybe we should give them a permanent rest.

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    Mute John Farrant
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:40 AM

    Maybe they will do nothing until the next concert comes along then they will be galvanised into action and be willing to change the law overnight to make Ireland a better place. I agree with one of the previous comments. They sould have been rested permanently.

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    Mute Gambon
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:09 AM

    CAN I JUST SAY …… We are back !!

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