Edward Snowden has hired private bodyguards for protection as he travels around Russia, although so far nobody has recognized him on the streets, the fugitive U.S. intelligence leaker's lawyer said.
"He goes for walks, he can travel. He is traveling. … So far, nobody has recognized him," Anatoly Kucherena told television channel Russia Today on Monday.
The former NSA employee's location is being kept secret at his own request. "We understand that the level of danger is quite high," Kucherena said.
The U.S. fugitive is busy exploring Russia — but with bodyguards.
The lawyer also said Snowden's mother, father, grandmother and grandfather could soon visit him in Russia.
A visit from his father, Lon Snowden, has been expected since Aug. 11 when the elder Snowden and lawyer Bruce Fein told ABC that they had already received a visa granting him entrance to Russia.
No further developments followed, however, and on Sept. 4 one of Lon Snowden's acquaintances told Itar-Tass that the fugitive's father still had not received the visa.
"When Lon Snowden's lawyers asked one of the Russian consulates for clarification, they were told that before issuing visas the authorization of the Interior Ministry was necessary and that this hasn't yet been given," the unidentified acquaintance said.
In the consular section of the Russian Embassy to the U.S., officials said the elder Snowden had not presented "an invitation of the standard form," and that his application would be considered when all the necessary documents have been received.
Kucherena said he believed Lon Snowden would be able to visit his son by the end of 2013.
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