Edward Snowden granted temporary asylum in Russia

A copy of the document issued by Russian authorities confirming Edward Snowden's right to temporary asylum. Credit: RTV

The White House said it was "extremely disappointed" with Russia's decision to grant US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden temporary asylum.

Diplomatic Correspondent John Ray reports:

Snowden left Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for the first time since he arrived in the country from Hong Kong on June 23 but his lawyer said his whereabouts would now be kept secret for security reasons.

The US demanded that Russia send Snowden home to face prosecution on espionage charges over his leaks that revealed wide US electronic surveillance programmes, but Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the request.

He said his decision on asylum was contingent on Snowden not harming US interests.

Carney said Moscow gave the US no advance notice before announcing its decision to grant Snowden asylum.

He added that the White House would re-evaluate whether President Obama should attend an upcoming summit with Putin this September in Moscow.