Lavrov Denies Russia Has Anything To Do With Snowden

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has denied his country has any connection with fugitive former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden. 

Speaking at a press conference on June 25, Lavrov rejected U.S. accusations that Russia has helped Snowden, calling them "groundless and unacceptable."

The Russian minister said, "We are in no way involved with either Mr. Snowden, his relations with U.S. Justice, or his movement around the world."

The exact location of Snowden, who flew to Moscow from Hong Kong on June 26, remains unclear.

Lavrov said Snowden has not crossed into Russian territory, but did not clarify whether that simply meant the fugitive is still in a transit area at Moscow's Sheremetevo Airport.

Snowden faces U.S. criminal charges for exposing details of secret the country's  surveillance programs.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and AFP