NSA Whisteblower Edward Snowden on the run, but not on Moscow flight to Cuba
Former CIA analyst whose leaks on NSA surveillance have caused global controversy expected to seek asylum in Ecuador after stopping off in Cuba.
Edward Snowden allegedly booked a flight to Havana, but the authorities and reports claim Snowden is not actually on the flight.
Edward Snowden doesn’t have a clue, Rep. Mike Rogers
Max Seddon of the Associated Press says that he is standing next to Snowden’s seat on the flight – and “he ain’t here“.
Standing next to Edward Snowden’s seat on flight to Cuba. He ain’t here. pic.twitter.com/NVRH3Pzved — max seddon (@maxseddon) June 24, 2013
Aeroflot staff are saying Snowden is not on the flight from Moscow to Havana, Miriam Elder reports.
Boarding is over. Aeroflot agent says Snowden not on plane. — Miriam Elder (@MiriamElder) June 24, 2013
The foreign minister of Ecuador, which is housing WikiLeaks leader Julian Assange at its embassy in London, wrote on Twitter that Snowden has formally requested asylum. (More details here)
The Government of Ecuador has received an asylum request from Edward J. #Snowden
— Ricardo Patiño Aroca (@RicardoPatinoEC) June 23, 2013
The Internet is buzzing over the Snowden manhunt and the Chinese allowing him to “slip” away.
Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a barrister and legislator for the pro-democracy Civic party, said letting Snowden leave with a minimum of fuss must have been China’s preferred option.
“If Beijing was to refuse to surrender Snowden, that might harm Sino-US relations. On the other hand, if Beijing was to allow Snowden to surrender, it might well be subject to criticism both here in Hong Kong and in European countries making noises about the conduct of the US.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/edward-snowden-moscow-venezuela-93198.html#ixzz2X80NExJK
