Snowden seeks temporary asylum in Russia

Several photos and an audiotape of Edward Snowden surfaced Friday on social media, showing him meeting with human rights groups at a Moscow airport where he's been stuck in limbo for nearly three weeks.

Snowden told the organizations he was immediately requesting temporary asylum in Russia until he can arrange travel to Latin America.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER U.S. INTELLIGENCE SERVICES CONTRACTOR EDWARD SNOWDEN, SAYING:

"I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage from the relevant nations in securing my passage to Latin America as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law, and my legal travel is permitted."

The Kremlin has said the former U.S. government contractor who leaked details about American surveillance programs can stay in Russia if he refrains from anti-U.S. activity.

Snowden says he'll comply, according to Tatiana Lokshina, deputy director of Human Rights Watch,

(SOUNDBITE