Former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden has thanked Russia for granting him temporary asylum and lashed out at the Obama administration.

In a statement released by anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks on Thursday, Snowden accused the Obama administration of flouting international law. He added that Russia¡¯s decision to grant him temporary asylum was a victory for the rule of law.

The US has demanded that Russia send Snowden home to face prosecution for espionage over his leaks that revealed wide US Internet surveillance practices, but Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the request.

The one-year asylum can be extended indefinitely, and Snowden also has the right to seek Russian citizenship. But according to the rules set by the Russian government, a person who has temporary asylum would lose it if he travels abroad.