Snowden's father lands in Moscow, thanks Russia for keeping leaker 'safe'

By Albina Kovalyova, Producer, NBC News

Edward Snowden's father arrived in Moscow Thursday, saying he hoped to find out more about his son, who was granted temporary asylum in Russia after leaking details of NSA surveillance programs.

"I'm here certainly to learn about my son's situation,” Lon Snowden told reporters at a Moscow airport, adding that he was “thankful” to Russia for “keeping him safe and secure.”

If a meeting took place, it would be the first meeting between father and son since the revelations were first published earlier this year.

After more than five weeks in Moscow's airport, NSA leaker Edward Snowden is no longer a man without a country. But his newfound asylum has angered White House and further strained relations with Russia. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

Edward Snowden, 30, is wanted in the United States on espionage charges. He fled to Russia from Hong Kong to avoid extradition, and spent more than five weeks holed up at Sherementyevo Airport before authorities agreed to grant him temporary asylum. Snowden had apparently been trying to reach Latin America.

At the airport Thursday, Lon Snowden thanked Russian authorities and the family’s lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena.

"I'm here certainly to learn about my son's situation. And I am thankful, extremely thankful, again, to the Russian people, President Vladimir Putin, Mr Kucherena and his staff for the support they have provided my son with keeping him safe and secure. And my hope is to learn much more about his circumstances."

This story was originally published on Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:03 AM EDT