Moscow 12 Feb (ANA) - Edward Snowden insists he is “not afraid” over claims Vladimir Putin suggested handing him over “as a gift” to Donald Trump. The whistleblower, who will face felony charges if he returns to the US, has been described by Trump as “a traitor”. He has been living in exile in Russia since June 2013 - initially for just one year but officials later extended Snowden’s asylum agreement – and claimed they would not be interested in trading the former CIA worker. But now US intelligence reports have suggested Russian authorities could hand him over to the US to “curry favour” with the new President. However Snowden has remained defiant - insisting in a series of tweets last night that he is not afraid of being returned to the US. He tweeted: “Days ago, I criticised the Russian government's oppressive new "Big Brother" law. Now, threatening rumours. But I won't stop. “I don't know if the rumours are true. But I can tell you this: I am not afraid. “There are things that must be said no matter the consequence. Don't be afraid. Be ready. There are more of us than them.” (ANA)

FA/ANA/12 February 2017------