Snowden reported to be staying outside Moscow

A shroud of mystery has surrounded American whistle-blower Edward Snowden's whereabouts since he received temporary asylum in Russia, but migration authorities have let slip that he is not in Moscow.

On Tuesday, Snowden's lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, said the National Security Agency leaker had registered his place of residence with the authorities, as all foreigners must do, but did not divulge the location out of concern for his safety. A migration service official said yesterday, however, that Snowden had not submitted documents to register in the capital.

"We don't have these records. I don't have any such information. He's not in Moscow," said Olga Kirillova, head of the Moscow branch of the migration service, news agencies reported.

The press department of the Federal Migration Service said that everyone's registration was confidential and that only Snowden or his lawyer can reveal his place of residence.

He is thought to be running out of money and sympathetic Russian senator Ruslan Gattarov is organising an appeal to raise funds.

Meanwhile, Snowden's father Lon has submitted all the necessary documents for a visa to visit Russia and plans to come this month, his lawyer said on Thursday. Kucherena told journalists earlier this week that Snowden will set a date for his first meeting with journalists after his father arrives.