Third of Russians Never Heard of Snowden – Poll

MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) – More than a third of Russians have never heard of US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, who has recently asked for temporary asylum in Russia, according to a survey by the state-run Public Opinion Foundation.

Snowden, who faces prosecution in the United States for leaking highly sensitive classified data about the US National Security Agency's surveillance activities, submitted a request for temporary asylum in Russia on Tuesday, having been holed up at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport transit zone since arriving from Hong Kong on June 23.

The survey, conducted on July 13-14 among 1,500 Russians in 43 regions of the country, showed that 38 percent of respondents never heard of Snowden, while 41 percent said they had a vague knowledge about his standoff with the US authorities, and only 18 percent knew Snowden’s story well.

Among those aware of Snowden’s tribulations, 61 percent were unable to formulate their attitude toward the whistleblower, sought by the United States to stand trial on charges of espionage and theft.

Half of the remaining 39 percent of respondents believe that Snowden should be granted asylum in Russia.

Pro-Kremlin lawyer Anatoly Kucherena, who helped Snowden complete his asylum application, said Wednesday that the fugitive NSA contractor would most likely be granted temporary asylum status.