Putin: Snowden is Trapped in Russia

Says American authorities are to blame

The US authorities have in effect trapped fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has said.

But Mr Putin said Mr Snowden would leave if he was able to.

The former intelligence analyst has been offered asylum in a number of Latin American states, but has no documents with which to leave the transit zone at Moscow airport.

The US has charged Mr Snowden with leaking classified information.

Mr Putin has refused to hand over the fugitive to the US authorities, but says he can only stay in Russia if he stops leaking secrets about US surveillance schemes.