Ottawa, Mar 26 (IBNS): A woman, who sheltered former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) contractor Edward Snowden in Hong Kong after his leaks exposed US global surveillance programs, has been granted asylum in Canada, media reports said.
Vanessa Rodel, 42, has been granted asylum along with her daughter.
"Now me and Keana are permanent residents in Canada. Now we are safe and free. I'm so grateful," Rodel said as quoted by NDTV.
They are expected to travel to Montreal on Tuesday.
Roder and her daughter were granted asylum in January but it was kept secret owing to security reasons.
Snowden, who was charged with espionage and stealing state secrets in the US in 2013, now lives in Russia.
Five other people who had sheltered Snowden are still in Hong Kong. All five have reportedly asked for asylum in Canada.
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