video transcript

Travellers go about their business in Moscow's main airport. Somewhere in the depths of the transit terminal is said to be former U.S. contractor Edward Snowden, wanted by the United States on espionage charges after he leaked data on the government's surveillance programs. Thought to be heading to Ecuador via Cuba to seek asylum, Snowden's may in fact be considering returning to U.S. soil. On Friday, Snowden's father said his son could return to the United States if officials promise not to detain him before trial or enforce a gag order. Snowden's attempts to evade U.S. authorities have sparked a diplomatic row between the United States and China, where Snowden first fled weeks ago. Chinese officials reiterated their support on Friday over Hong Kong's decision to allow Snowden to leave the country, despite U.S. extradition calls. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING SAYING: "When Snowden was in Hong Kong, we had made our stance clear many times that China's central government consistently respects the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's handling of the case according to the law. We are following Snowden's situation and development of the case closely." So far, Snowden has remained out of sight, even though Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted the spy is in the capital.