The Russian lawyer for Edward Snowden says the fugitive National Security Agency leaker has been in direct contact with his father over the Internet for the first time since fleeing the U.S. and being granted temporary asylum in Russia.

The lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told Russian news agencies Thursday that Snowden and his father had acted against legal advice. He urged them to refrain from any further contact, even using encrypted messages, until meeting in person.

The elder Snowden and a U.S. lawyer have said they intend to travel to Moscow soon, but would not announce the date ahead of time.

Edward Snowden, who received asylum in Russia on Aug. 1, has not spoken publicly and his whereabouts remain secret. All previous contact with his father had been through Kucherena.

(AP)