WikiLeaks says leaker safe, gives no added detail

LONDON — WikiLeaks says that former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden is “safe and well,” a brief statement that gave no indication of how the information was obtained and did little to clear up the mystery concerning his whereabouts.

Edward Snowden infuriated American officials by leaking details of the NSA’s globe-spanning spy programs and has been on the run since leaving Hong Kong over the weekend.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Snowden is in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and has rejected U.S. pleas to turn him over.

WikiLeaks, which says it is helping Snowden seek asylum, has declined to reveal details about Snowden’s plans, citing security concerns. The group did not return messages Wednesday.

WikiLeaks on Monday denied reports that Snowden was being debriefed by Russian intelligence.