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Russia said Tuesday it was unaware of any talks with the United States on exchanging fugitive U.S. intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden for a Russian citizen jailed in the U.S.
"We have no information on whether the law enforcement agencies (of Russia and U.S.) have discussed an exchange of Snowden for a Russian national convicted in the U.S.," the Justice Ministry's press service said.
The ministry noted the U.S. Attorney General had earlier assured his Russian counterpart Washington would issue a temporary passport for the return of Snowden, who is wanted for leaking classified information.
"The letter (sent by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to Russian counterpart Alexander Konovalov ) stated Snowden remained a U.S. citizen and he might be issued a limited-time passport to return home," the ministry's press service said.
The ministry received the letter from Holder on July 24.
According to the ministry, the U.S. also assured Moscow Snowden would not be tortured or sentenced to capital punishment if found guilty by a U.S. court. But he could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
The ministry had replied to Holder, its press service said, without revealing the content of the letter.
The 30-year-old former intelligence contractor arrived at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport on June 23 and has been stranded in the transit zone since.
He faces espionage charges over his disclosure of a classified intelligence surveillance project code-named PRISM.
