US whistle-blower Edward Snowden's lawyer Anatoly Kucherena sold the film rights to Hollywood Director Oliver Stone, who intends to film a political thriller.The rights to Mr Kucherena's book have been handed over to the director and producer Moritz Borman, Kucherena told the AFP. The pro-Kremlin defense lawyer is completing a story about a whistle-blower with loose ties to Mr Snowden and his experiences. Kucherena is one of Russia's most high-profile lawyers, and was one of a select group of public figures to visit Mr Snowden during his stay at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport last year.

Celebrities

Last year, Mr Snowden, the former intelligence contractor wanted in the US for disclosing the National Security Agency's surveillance efforts, asked Mr Kucherena to take over his case. Mr Kucherena became part of the Soviet legal system in 1993, and his clients included riche celebrities, including Russian singers, film directors, in addition to ordinary Russian citizens. He has written books and textbooks and often appears on television for commentary. He has also had experience dealing with American requests, such as when he represented Alimzhan T. Tokhtakhounov, whom the United States pursued after accusing him of fixing figure-skating events at the Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002.The Oscar-winning director is to begin filming before the end of the year.

Sources: Khaleej Times and The New York Times.