Russia Denies Snowden Could Have Been Handed Over

Russian foreign minister says Snowden never technically arrived in Russia

MOSCOW— Russia on Tuesday rejected U.S. criticism of its role in the legal drama surrounding Edward Snowden, saying its government had no legal right to turn the fugitive over to U.S. authorities and denouncing suggestions that Russia was abetting Snowden's escape.

Snowden, a former government contractor, is being sought on charges that he illegally leaked secret documents when he brought secret U.S. surveillance programs to light. He has not been seen in public since he reportedly arrived in Moscow on Sunday, after slipping out of Hong Kong.