Report: Russia Considering Asylum for NSA Leaker Snowden

Report: Russia Considering Asylum for NSA Leaker Snowden

According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the Russians are considering granting political asylum to Edward Snowden, the NSA whistleblower/traitor. Snowden, a government contractor, revealed the existence of a massive National Security Agency surveillance operation last week. 

Kommersant daily quoted President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary as saying “If we receive such a request, we will consider it.”

Snowden was previously staying in Hong Kong, where he fled to on May 20,  but has since changed his location.  

Yesterday, Regina Ip, Hong Kong’s top official overseeing security said it would be in Snowden’s “best interest to leave Hong Kong.” China has an extradition treaty with the United States. 

“He won’t find Hong Kong a safe harbor,” Ip said. “Those agreements have been in force for more than 10 years. If the US submits a request, we would act in accordance with the law.”

The US is preparing charges against Snowden, and will most likely try to have him extradited once those are filed.

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