By Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MOSCOW, Russia – Since revealing classified intelligence on June 6, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden has been on the run from the US government.  News outlets began reporting Monday that Snowden left Hong Kong heading for Ecuador with a layover in Moscow.  Reporters, believing Snowden to be bound from Moscow to Havana, Cuba, booked flights on Aeroflight SU150 only to find that Snowden was not on board.

Snowden stayed behind in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport where he remained Tuesday and Wednesday.  During that time, Secretary of State John Kerry wasted no time expressing his concern that Snowden was able to leave Hong Kong, stating it would be “deeply troubling” to find that China had intentionally allowed Snowden to fly to Russia.  Kerry, joined by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, urged Russia to “do the right thing” and extradite Snowden back to the United States.

As of Wednesday, Russian Prime Minster Vladamir Putin has not acquiesced to US demands, stating that the Russian authorities may not take action against Snowden, who, by remaining in Sheremetyevo Airport, has not technically entered Russian borders.

Since fleeing Hong Kong, Snowden has been formally charged in the US with espionage for disclosing classified information, a crime which carries a prison sentence of up to ten years and may also include a fine.  Snowden may never stand trial, however, since Ecuador has invited Snowden to apply for political asylum.

Ecuador famously provided political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in their London embassy.  NBC News reports that Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa “sharply criticized” the US government for drawing attention away from the sweeping NSA intelligence programs by focusing attention on finding and prosecuting Snowden.

Ecuador may not be Snowden’s only option for political asylum.  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro praised Snowden’s courage and offered to allow him to apply for political asylum in Venezuela.

 

For further information, please see:

ABC News – Edward Snowden Steps Into Secret U.S.-Russia Spy Scuffle – 26 June 2013

NBC News – Hagel calls on Russia to return Edward Snowden to answer for ‘serious security breach’ – 26 June 2013

NBC World News – Chavez successor praises Snowden, offers to consider asylum – 26 June 2013

CBS News – Russia: Edward Snowden hasn’t “crossed the Russian border,” and U.S. demands “unacceptable” – 25 June 2013

BBC News – Edward Snowden: US anger at Russia and China – 24 June 2013

CBS News – Reporters chasing Edward Snowden stranded on Cuba-bound plane – 24 June 2013