Former CIA employee Edward Snowden could apply for Russian citizenship in order to get the chance to leave for Latin America, Sergei Nikitin, head of the Russian office of the Amnesty International human rights organization, told Interfax.

"Everything Snowden has said gives me the impression that he will apply for Russian citizenship. It could be one of the ways of protection because Snowden has said that he plans to relocate to Latin America," he said.

Nikitin and several other human rights activists met with Snowden in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on July 12.

"If he receives a Russian passport, he may feel more secure," Nikitin said.

"But the issue of citizenship is not something we concern ourselves with. What we care about is the need to prevent his extradition and secure asylum for him," he said.

Snowden fled to Hong Kong in May 2013 and then released classified information regarding U.S. special services' online surveillance activities. Snowden went to Moscow following this and has been in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport since June 23. Snowden cannot fly out of Moscow because his U.S. passport has been revoked.

Snowden filed an application for temporary asylum in Russia with the Federal Migration Service on July 16. The consideration of his application may take up to three months.