Breaking: Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong and is on way to Moscow

[Warlord]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51606000/jpg/_51606573_fa1d16c0-9c6c-4f82-b0b8-ab66ddd94f78.jpg

Reuters:

Breaking News: Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong and is on way to Moscow, South China Morning Post says

Run Ed, run!

BBC:

United States intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong on a flight bound for Moscow, reports say.

The South China Morning Post, quoting what it says are credible sources, said he was due to arrive in Moscow on Sunday evening.

It said Moscow would not be his final destination.

Snowden, an intelligence analyst, fled to Hong Kong in May after revealing details of extensive internet and phone surveillance by the US agencies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23019414

[RickyJ]

I hope he makes it, if he is indeed going to Moscow.

[Warlord]

www.reuters.com

[ObiRandKenobi]

I wish him the best.

[Warlord]

The United States is the world’s “biggest villain” for IT espionage, China’s official media said on Sunday after new allegations of anti-Beijing cyber-snooping emerged.

-

[Warlord]

Breaking News: Hong Kong government spokesman says Snowden left territory voluntarily

[RickyJ]

Breaking News: Hong Kong government spokesman says Snowden left territory voluntarily

I am glad they didn't hold him for extradition to the USA. Hong Kong just scored some points with freedom lovers everywhere by letting him go.

[tod evans]

Best of luck, and Godspeed Mr. Snowden!

To the treacherous treasonous bastards in the US government and their media lapdogs, pox be upon you!

[Warlord]

I am glad they didn't hold him for extradition to the USA. Hong Kong just scored some points with freedom lovers everywhere by letting him go.

it's going to have the shills in the media screaming incredulously.

[devil21]

As much as I love the drama, I have a hard time believing that he just hops onto planes and goes hither and yon. If this is all legit and not a fake soap opera then he's being protected everywhere he goes by someone. But who? This aint "Catch Me If You Can" movie stuff.

[better-dead-than-fed]

HKSAR Government issues statement on Edward Snowden
************************************************** *
The HKSAR Government today (June 23) issued the following statement on Mr Edward Snowden:

Mr Edward Snowden left Hong Kong today (June 23) on his own accord for a third country through a lawful and normal channel.

The US Government earlier on made a request to the HKSAR Government for the issue of a provisional warrant of arrest against Mr Snowden. Since the documents provided by the US Government did not fully comply with the legal requirements under Hong Kong law, the HKSAR Government has requested the US Government to provide additional information so that the Department of Justice could consider whether the US Government's request can meet the relevant legal conditions. As the HKSAR Government has yet to have sufficient information to process the request for provisional warrant of arrest, there is no legal basis to restrict Mr Snowden from leaving Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Government has already informed the US Government of Mr Snowden's departure.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government has formally written to the US Government requesting clarification on earlier reports about the hacking of computer systems in Hong Kong by US government agencies. The HKSAR Government will continue to follow up on the matter so as to protect the legal rights of the people of Hong Kong.

Ends/Sunday, June 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:05

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201306/23/P201306230476.htm

[Warlord]

As much as I love the drama, I have a hard time believing that he just hops onto planes and goes hither and yon. If this is all legit and not a fake soap opera then he's being protected everywhere he goes by someone. But who? This aint "Catch Me If You Can" movie stuff.

No doubt something has been arranged because his passport will not be working ? i'm sure they shut that off immediately when charged. All passports go through some international scanner now so easy for them to suspend or cancel them.

[tod evans]

The irony, fleeing to China then Russia in order to promote honesty and transparency in government.

[kcchiefs6465]

Who knows?

I do hope to hear from Glenn Greenwald that he is safe wherever he may be. Moscow could be a diversion, maybe not.

Maybe they detained him for interrogation and he never makes his supposed flight? A lot of disinfo or misinfo will be coming out. Hopefully he doesn't end up holed up in an embassy somewhere, in fear of rendition, or extradition.

But then again, hopefully Obama and his ilk get tried for war crimes, at the least impeached, and the rest who blazed trails before him do as well.

[bolil]

Well color me... there is no word. An American seeks refuge in Russia. Just color me, okay? Not that their is anything wrong with Russia, perhaps I still have nationalistic (almost tippity tapped nihilistic) tendencies. Some of the greatest fingers to ever place ink on paper called Russia home, Prince Myshkin... Prince Andrew... Raskalnikov... Levin... Kitty Scherbatsky... And my personal favourite: Pierre B. Bum rushing the french in a burning moscow to save a lady... awesome.

[RickyJ]

The rule of law is not existent in Washington D.C. These fools have some nerve to lecture Hong Kong over the "rule of law" when they are caught red handed breaking the law.

[squarepusher]

I wonder what his destination will be? This story is really getting stranger and stranger.,,

[bolil]

Uhhh, we are the law now give us back our mundane or else? Or else what? Like it was succinctly put: We will stop borrowing money from you?!?!?!?

Nice threat, Sieg Merica.

[better-dead-than-fed]

Snowden is currently over Russian airspace accompanied by WikiLeaks legal advisors.

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/348732325909102593

[better-dead-than-fed]

"Snowden likely to fly via Moscow to Cuba"

"06/23 13:36 Snowden's ultimate destination is Venezuela where he will fly to from Moscow with stopover in Havana - Source"

http://www.interfax.com/news.asp

[puppetmaster]

Things don't add up. Was this a private aircraft?

[Demigod]

As much as I love the drama, I have a hard time believing that he just hops onto planes and goes hither and yon. If this is all legit and not a fake soap opera then he's being protected everywhere he goes by someone. But who? This aint "Catch Me If You Can" movie stuff.

It would not be that hard to get the Russians to agree for you to transit or stay for a while on their territory especially if it serves their purposes or you are willing to pay for it.No one is protecting him,he went to HK before everything started and he has had no where to go from there up until now.

EDIT:

Why the hell is he going to Cuba or Venezuela.

[kcchiefs6465]

It would not be that hard to get the Russians to agree for you to transit or stay for a while on their territory especially if it serves their purposes or you are willing to pay for it.No one is protecting him,he went to HK before everything started and he has had no where to go from there up until now.

EDIT:

Why the hell is he going to Cuba or Venezuela.
Assata Shakur still has asylum in Cuba. Though the father who "kidnapped" his kids and fled there was returned. (what ever happened with that, btw? Anyone know?)

Cuba is defiant to the US. It just depends the situation, apparently. After their return of the father I wouldn't seek asylum there.

Venezuela, not sure. Chavez was defiant of the United States and probably would have given him asylum. Not too sure the current situation. Could be Assange has spoken with him or that plans are arranged, could again be disinfo. I hope he is safe on his travels.

[luctor-et-emergo]

Things don't add up. Was this a private aircraft?

Apparently this was an Aeroflot flight.
From what I can find it's Aeroflot flight 213 from HK int. to Moscow Sheremetyevo departing 10:55AM UTC and arriving 5:05PM UTC.
I don't know why the media is talking about a 3 hour flight, according to the Aeroflot schedule it's a 6hr flight. Which makes sense because it's quite a distance.
He should arrive approximately 3 hours from now.

[jmdrake]

Queue the idiot talking heads in the U.S. media saying "If he cares about freedum why did he go to China and is now going to Russia? He should just go to Washington D.C. so he can be summarily shot." Seriously, I heard some idiot say something to that effect the other week. Snowden is trying to survive at this point, not make some political point of what is the most "free" country on earth.

[opal]

When I read that Moscow was not to be the final destination.. I immediately thought.. Ireland.. if just to plant a big wet one on Claire Daly before heading on to his next hiding place.

To be honest, it really bugs me that we *know* his movements before he says something - if indeed any of this is true.

[HOLLYWOOD]

Snowden lands in Moscow in ~1 hour 9AM EST 6AM PST AeroFlop

http://www.flightradar24.com/#!/AFL213

(http://www.flightradar24.com/#!/AFL213)
AFL213


http://img.planespotters.net/photo/388000/thumbnail/PlanespottersNet_388671.jpg (http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/photo.show?id=388671)



Airline: Aeroflot (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airplanes/afl-afl)
Flight: SU213 (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/su213)
From: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (HKG (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/hkg))
To: Moscow, Sheremetyevo (SVO (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/svo))
Aircraft: Airbus A330-343 (A333)
ETA: 13:02 UTC (in 00:25)
Reg: VP-BDD (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airplanes/vp-bdd)
Altitude: 24350 ft (7422 m)
V/S: -2816 fpm
Speed: 389 kt (720 km/h, 448 mph)
Track: 258°
Hex: 42429A
Squawk: 5721
Pos: 56.0324 / 39.5891
Radar: T-UUEE1
Show RouteCockpit View
Share (http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?s=100&p[title]=AFL213+on+Flightradar24.com&p[summary]=Flightradar24+is+the+best+live+flight+tracker+tha t+shows+air+traffic+in+real+time.+Best+coverage+an d+cool+features%21&p[url]=http://fr24.com/AFL213&p[images][0]=http://flightradar24static.appspot.com/static/_fr24/images/fb_logo.png)Tweet (https://twitter.com/share/?url=http://fr24.com/AFL213&text=AFL213+on+Flightradar24.com&hashtags=flightradar24)

http://flightradar24static.appspot.com/static/_fr24/images/flightdiary-logo.png (http://flightdiary.net)users on board this flight



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ed/Sheremetyevo_logo.png (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sheremetyevo_logo.png)


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Sheremetyevo_view.JPG/375px-Sheremetyevo_view.JPG (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sheremetyevo_view.JPG)


Sheremetyevo view


IATA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Air_Transport_Association_airport_co de): SVO – ICAO (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Civil_Aviation_Organization_airport_ code): UUEE


(http://www.flightradar24.com/#!/AFL213)

[Warlord]

Just in time for the sunday shows Hollywood... the FASCISTS will be screaming on establishment TV....

[kcchiefs6465]

Just in time for the sunday shows Hollywood... the FASCISTS will be screaming on establishment TV....
Luckily I will be able to soundly sleep through their bullshit.

[Warlord]

I suspect he's going to Ecuador via Caracus especially if Wikileaks are helping

[Warlord]

Russian airliner believed to be carrying US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden lands at Moscow - airport officials (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23021237)

[Origanalist]

Just in time for the sunday shows Hollywood... the FASCISTS will be screaming on establishment TV....

HAHA! I may actually watch a tv news show. What Fun.

[Warlord]

Whistleblowing site Wikileaks says Mr Snowden is being accompanied on his journey by one of its legal team, British journalist Sarah Harrison. She has "courageously assisted Mr Snowden with his lawful departure from Hong Kong", the group said. (http://wikileaks.org/Profile-Sarah-Harrison.html)


1410: Breaking News

The plane believed to be carrying Edward Snowden has landed in Moscow, says airport.


Irina Galushko

at Moscow airport tweets: (https://twitter.com/IrinaGalushkoRT) Waiting for #Snowden - a crowd of journos and confused passengers pic.twitter.com/r8vM1RsKXM


Tyler Chester, USA

emails: He is a traitor to the United States. He had no legal right to leak classified documents whether or not he thought it was wrong. If I oppose nuclear weapons, does that give me the right to leak their locations or codes?

[Warlord]

Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow airport "You have to look at the world as a river that Edward Snowden is trying to cross to get to safety, and the countries are stepping stones, places where he won't be arrested by the US."

1404:

The Russia 24 TV channel has said Mr Snowden does not have a Russian visa, so will stay in the airport overnight before, the channel says, flying to Cuba on Monday.

-

[Origanalist]

Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow airport "You have to look at the world as a river that Edward Snowden is trying to cross to get to safety, and the countries are stepping stones, places where he won't be arrested by the US."

1404:

The Russia 24 TV channel has said Mr Snowden does not have a Russian visa, so will stay in the airport overnight before, the channel says, flying to Cuba on Monday.

-

A very perilous journey indeed.

[Warlord]

Breaking News The plane believed to be carrying Edward Snowden has landed in Moscow, says airport.

[angelatc]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51606000/jpg/_51606573_fa1d16c0-9c6c-4f82-b0b8-ab66ddd94f78.jpg

Reuters:

Breaking News: Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong and is on way to Moscow, South China Morning Post says

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23019414



The 2013 Truth Tour! Sing it brother!

[Warlord]

I bet he gets a huge cheer when he appears at Moscow airport... how's Candy going to spin that one for the president and his agenda?

[Origanalist]

'Biggest villain'

Confirmation that Mr Snowden has left Hong Kong came only hours after China's official Xinhua news agency condemned the US.

The agency pointed to the latest disclosures by Mr Snowden to the South China Morning Post, along with previous revelations, calling them "clearly troubling signs".

"They demonstrate that the United States, which has long been trying to play innocent as a victim of cyber attacks, has turned out to be the biggest villain in our age," says Xinhua.

Xinhua says Washington should come clean about its record.

"It owes too an explanation to China and other countries it has allegedly spied on. It has to share with the world the range, extent and intent of its clandestine hacking programs."

The blunt commentary by China's Xinhua news agency comes only two weeks after Present Barack Obama met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in California for a summit where cyber security was high on the agenda.

The US warned China that the issue of Chinese "cyber-intrusion" and theft of intellectual property could strain relations, while China said it did not want the issue to become a source of friction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23021767

[Warlord]

1448:

Most passengers have now left the plane, but there is as yet no sign of the US fugitive, says the channel.


1447:

Passengers on the flight did not experience any inconvenience or delays to their journey, Russia 24 reports. Their correspondent suggests Mr Snowden probably flew in business class.


1446:

Several countries have been named as a possible final destination for Mr Snowden, including Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. Russian news service Ria Novosti has just reported that an Ecuadorean embassy car is waiting at Terminal F, where the plane he is thought to be on has landed.

[tod evans]

Could one of you folks who tweets or facebooks spread the "Truth is treason in an empire of lies" moniker to Russia?

[angelatc]

"They demonstrate that the United States, which has long been trying to play innocent as a victim of cyber attacks, has turned out to be the biggest villain in our age," says Xinhua.


They should start calling us cyber-terrorists if they want to push buttons.

But I doubt that the fact that we are doing this is actually a surprise to anybody. Or that it's being done to us, either.

[newbitech]

Maybe some folks will realize that the US government has lost tons of political clout throughout the world by not following laws.

See what happens when you have a government that doesn't follow the law? All it takes for an adversary to win, is to simply follow the law.

The biggest danger to national security that we have ever faced is a lawless government.

All these big wig people coming on to the news shows and saying that Hong Kong was a bad choice just got pie in their face. Why? Because Snowden realized how far the US has fallen in terms of upholding the rule of law.

America is not the "special" country that many folks think it is. The world is not gripped in fear over the powerful US military like many folks would like to believe.

Right now, I see the world is coming together in defiance of lawless governments with the US government being the big bully enforcer. Well, that big bully enforcer is getting stared down by a 30 year old computer geek.

I expect that bully to try and flex, and I expect that bully to get knocked in the teeth and taken down a couple notches.

If the people in America won't reign in it's bully lawless government, someone will.

If the people of America want to take on the world, they simply need to continue what they are doing and sit idly by while their government attempts to trample on the rights of EVERY human being the world over.

Americans that think they are special and have "rights" because they are "Americans", who think their "freedom" is given to them by their corrupt bully government are stupid. The fact is, ALL humans have rights by virtue of being born into the world. Many of those rights are documented in the founding of America, many are not.

The people in America will continue to ignore IMO, until they are forced to pay attention and respond by the rest of the world.

The alarm has been going off for at least 6 years. Probably longer. WAKE UP!

[angelatc]

Where's HB? He can translate it, and I can tweet it in Russian!

Somebody go wake him up!!!

[Origanalist]

They should start calling us cyber-terrorists if they want to push buttons.

But I doubt that the fact that we are doing this is actually a surprise to anybody. Or that it's being done to us, either.

I agree, no surprises on either side. Just faux indignation.

[tod evans]

Where's HB? He can translate it, and I can tweet it in Russian!

Somebody go wake him up!!!


Truth is treason in an empire of lies.

God help Mr. Snowden

http://translation.babylon.com/english/to-russian/

Истина - это измена в империи лжи. Да поможет г-н Вильен Сноуден

[Origanalist]

Abhay Joshi, India emails:

Snowden has rendered an invaluable service to the entire world by exposing the true face of the US. While preaching about democracy, freedom and human rights to the rest of the world it has shown complete disregard for these values in the name of defending democracy from terrorism.

[angelatc]

Truth is treason in an empire of lies.

God help Mr. Snowden

http://translation.babylon.com/english/to-russian/

Истина - это измена в империи лжи. Да поможет г-н Вильен Сноуден

I'm still going to wait for HB. The electronic translators aren't always quite right.

[tod evans]

I'm still going to wait for HB. The electronic translators aren't always quite right.

Smart move, I wouldn't know if it was even close...

[Origanalist]

1507: US Senator Chuck Shumer told CNN's State of the Union programme he had "a feeling the hand of Beijing was involved" in Mr Snowden's flight from Hong Kong, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "aiding and abetting Snowden's escape".


You can't get anything past ol' Chucky........

[tod evans]

1507: US Senator Chuck Shumer told CNN's State of the Union programme he had "a feeling the hand of Beijing was involved" in Mr Snowden's flight from Hong Kong, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "aiding and abetting Snowden's escape".


Ew,ew!

Can we get those two in the ring?

[green73]

HKSAR Government issues statement on Edward Snowden
************************************************** *
The HKSAR Government today (June 23) issued the following statement on Mr Edward Snowden:

Mr Edward Snowden left Hong Kong today (June 23) on his own accord for a third country through a lawful and normal channel.

The US Government earlier on made a request to the HKSAR Government for the issue of a provisional warrant of arrest against Mr Snowden. Since the documents provided by the US Government did not fully comply with the legal requirements under Hong Kong law, the HKSAR Government has requested the US Government to provide additional information so that the Department of Justice could consider whether the US Government's request can meet the relevant legal conditions. As the HKSAR Government has yet to have sufficient information to process the request for provisional warrant of arrest, there is no legal basis to restrict Mr Snowden from leaving Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Government has already informed the US Government of Mr Snowden's departure.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government has formally written to the US Government requesting clarification on earlier reports about the hacking of computer systems in Hong Kong by US government agencies. The HKSAR Government will continue to follow up on the matter so as to protect the legal rights of the people of Hong Kong.

Ends/Sunday, June 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:05

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201306/23/P201306230476.htm

priceless

[angelatc]

You can't get anything past ol' Chucky........


I think it's funnier that the CIA/NSA/State Department was apparently blind-sided by this move. Snicker.

RT is broadcasting live: http://rt.com/on-air/

[Origanalist]

I think it's funnier that the CIA/NSA/State Department was apparently blind-sided by this move. Snicker.

RT is broadcasting live: http://rt.com/on-air/

The U.K. has a Pirate Party???? Ahhh, found it.

[Neil Desmond]

Ew,ew!

Can we get those two in the ring?
Would Pootie Poot be permitted to wear his new "my precious"?

[Occam's Banana]

Several countries have been named as a possible final destination for Mr Snowden, including Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. Russian news service Ria Novosti has just reported that an Ecuadorean embassy car is waiting at Terminal F, where the plane he is thought to be on has landed.

Good. Edward could do worse than to spend some time chillin' with Julian Assange and getting tips for life on the lam ...

[Occam's Banana]

priceless

That was the best figurative flipping of a middle-finger I've seen in a long time. Red tape FTW!

[angelatc]

Wayne Allyn Root on Twitter:
Wayne Allyn Root ‏@WayneRoot (https://twitter.com/WayneRoot) :Snowden headed to Cuba or Venezuela. No longer even part hero. Just traitor now. Sad. YOUR phone records now in Russian hands

[Warlord]

PRC spokesman:

Q: Edward Snowden, former contractor for the US National Security Agency, has reportedly left Hong Kong on today's flight to Moscow. The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has released a statement on that. What is China's comment?

A: We have noted relevant reports but are not aware of the specifics. We will continue to follow its development. Hong Kong is ruled by law. On the basis of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the principle of "one country, two systems", the central government always respects the HKSAR government's handling of affairs in accordance with law.

Q: As disclosed by the media, the US has hacked Chinese telecommunications companies and the Tsinghua University. How does China respond?

A: We are gravely concerned about the recently disclosed cyber attacks by relevant US government agencies against China. It shows once again that China falls victim to cyber attacks. We have made representations with the US.

I would like to reiterate that China is opposed to all forms of cyber attacks. We are ready to actively enhance dialogue and cooperation with the international community in the spirit of mutual respect, so as to jointly uphold peace and security of the cyber space.

[Origanalist]

Snowden stuck in Moscow?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ciByvddyHBs

[Contumacious]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51606000/jpg/_51606573_fa1d16c0-9c6c-4f82-b0b8-ab66ddd94f78.jpg

[B]Reuters:

Breaking News: Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong and is on way to Moscow, South China Morning Post says

Run Ed, run!



http://i.qkme.me/3uygdo.jpg

[Nobexliberty]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2346765/Edward-Snowden-Whistleblower-left-Hong-Kong-Russia-help-Wikileaks-day-US-charges-spying.ht (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2346765/Edward-Snowden-Whistleblower-left-Hong-Kong-Russia-help-Wikileaks-day-US-charges-spying.html)ml

[69360]

The irony, fleeing to China then Russia in order to promote honesty and transparency in government.

Don't kid yourself. The Russians and Chinese only let him be there to embarrass the US government or in hope they will get the info he is holding.

[Occam's Banana]

Don't kid yourself. The Russians and Chinese only let him be there to embarrass the US government or in hope they will get the info he is holding.

That doesn't make it any less ironic.

[Warlord]

Jason Stephens, an American who was on board the flight thought to be carrying Mr Snowden, told the AFP news agency he saw three pieces of luggage taken directly from the plane after it landed in Moscow and into a waiting car. "It seemed a little strange," he said.

[Bryan]

FYI, this website is good for tracking flights real-time:

http://planefinder.net

[Thor]

I have not read the articles linked in theses posts yet, but does it say that he is indeed flying a commercial airliner and not a private aircraft?

Also, I would be willing to bet the final destination is Iceland. Moscow is a stop point on a near direct path to Iceland. Probably not too many Hong Kong --> Reykjavik flights (but maybe some)

[tod evans]

Wayne Allyn Root ‏@WayneRoot :Snowden headed to Cuba or Venezuela. No longer even part hero. Just traitor now. Sad. YOUR phone records now in Russian hands

Mr. Root,

I have no idea who you are, don't care either, but...

I feel much safer knowing my phone records are in Russia because Russia is not liable to indict me.

[Carson]

FYI, this website is good for tracking flights real-time:

http://planefinder.net


Cool

[69360]

Mr. Root,

I have no idea who you are, don't care either, but...

I feel much safer knowing my phone records are in Russia because Russia is not liable to indict me.

2008 libertarian party VP candidate :rolleyes:

[madengr]

I'll be the black sheep. Whistleblowing was one thing, but he has gone to far if he is feeding China info in exchange for not being extradited. He knowingly put himself in this situation; should have gone to Iceland to begin with. This is espionage. Is he debriefing in each country he stops?

[Thor]

I'll be the black sheep. Whistleblowing was one thing, but he has gone to far if he is feeding China info in exchange for not being extradited. He knowingly put himself in this situation; should have gone to Iceland to begin with. This is espionage.

Let's wait to see where the cards fall. This is currently nothing more than safe passage without fear of extradition. Honk Kong / China would not extradite him, and more than likely Russia won't.

He might be using it to get to Iceland or somewhere neutral.

[Constitutional Paulicy]

Snowden leaves Hong Kong, may head for Venezuela
By James Pomfret and Lidia Kelly


HONG KONG/MOSCOW (Reuters) - An aircraft believed to be carrying Edward Snowden landed in Moscow on Sunday after Hong Kong let the former U.S. security contractor leave the territory, despite Washington's efforts to extradite him to face espionage charges.

The anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks said Snowden was heading for a "democratic nation" which it did not name, although a source at the Russian airline Aeroflot said he would fly on within 24 hours to Cuba and then planned to go to Venezuela.

more here.... http://news.yahoo.com/former-nsa-contractor-snowden-leaves-hong-kong-moscow-080843121.html

[Contumacious]

I'll be the black sheep. Whistleblowing was one thing, but he has gone to far if he is feeding China info in exchange for not being extradited. He knowingly put himself in this situation; should have gone to Iceland to begin with. This is espionage. Is he debriefing in each country he stops?

Yo Vern

He has a responsibility to Support the Constitution against all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC.

The scumbags in DC FORCED him into the situation by concocting a sealed "indictment"

.

[Warlord]

He's likely going to Ecuador the fastest way possible... Moscow->Cuba->Caracus->Quito can be done in a few days rather than hanging round for too long in any one place

[madengr]

Bullshit, he was not forced to go to China.

[ClydeCoulter]

Bullshit, he was not forced to go to China.

It was Hong Cong, and evidently it was a pretty good move on his part, so far.

[Warlord]

1708: Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow airport

There's no way that what we've seen happening could have happened without the assistance of the Russian authorities. They seem to be helping, but that said, they haven't given Snowden a visa to enter the country, so to a degree they're trying to stand back a bit, it seems.

1705: Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow airport

The Ecuadorean ambassador's car is parked 30m away. The driver confirmed that he brought the ambassador here, but what we don't know is why he is here, and why that conflicts with what airline sources have been saying, which is that Edward Snowden's ultimate destination is Venezuela.

Miriam Elder,

the Guardian's Moscow correspondent, tweets: Ecuadorian ambassador inside Sheremtyevo airport rather confused: "Do you know where he is?" "We thought you did?"
1700:

Reuters reports that the Ecuadorean ambassador to Moscow has arrived at the airport's hotel, telling journalists he was expecting to meet Edward Snowden.

[Carlybee]

I fully support him and am glad he has had help from Hong Kong and Russia, but let's not kid ourselves, China and Russia are also big into the spy game, the violation of privacy rights and are both major hacker players. When I had a message forum almost every spammer/spambot was either Chinese or Russian. I hope Snowden is able to get to another neutral country soon. I suspect however that it's just a matter of time before the criminals he exposed catch up with him..sadly.

[Contumacious]

Bullshit, he was not forced to go to China.

Had Reporter Michael Hastings travelled to HK he would have been alive today:



"Hours before dying in a fiery car crash, award-winning journalist Michael Hastings sent an email to his colleagues, warning that federal authorities were interviewing his friends and that he needed to go "off the rada[r]" for a bit.".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/22/michael-hastings-email_n_3484118.html

[Henry Rogue]

The irony, fleeing to China then Russia in order to promote honesty and transparency in government.

Well color me... there is no word. An American seeks refuge in Russia. Just color me, okay? Not that their is anything wrong with Russia, perhaps I still have nationalistic (almost tippity tapped nihilistic) tendencies. Some of the greatest fingers to ever place ink on paper called Russia home, Prince Myshkin... Prince Andrew... Raskalnikov... Levin... Kitty Scherbatsky... And my personal favourite: Pierre B. Bum rushing the french in a burning moscow to save a lady... awesome.
My first thoughts when reading the title, growing up during the cold war and reading about soviet citizens defecting to America. Never thought back then I would see the day Americans would defect to Russia for asylum.

[Henry Rogue]

Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow airport "You have to look at the world as a river that Edward Snowden is trying to cross to get to safety, and the countries are stepping stones, places where he won't be arrested by the US."

1404:

The Russia 24 TV channel has said Mr Snowden does not have a Russian visa, so will stay in the airport overnight before, the channel says, flying to Cuba on Monday.

-
Cuba would be the ultimate "in your face" to nsa, being in our back yard. Especially if he lives there to a ripe old age like castro.

[nbruno322]

Cuba would be the ultimate "in your face" to nsa, being in our back yard. Especially if he lives there to a ripe old age like castro.

He is not going to stay in Cuba or Russia, he just needs to use non-extradition treaty countries as nodes in his travel to get to his destination, which appears to be Iceland or Ecuador.

For example, if he were to fly to Paris on his way to Iceland, he would immediately be arrested and sent back, that's why he went to Russia.

[tod evans]

2008 libertarian party VP candidate :rolleyes:

Left quite an impression with me eh?

[Carlybee]

Cuba would be the ultimate "in your face" to nsa, being in our back yard. Especially if he lives there to a ripe old age like castro.

He would just be trading one prison for another

[Origanalist]

1758: Wikileaks have updated their statement on Edward Snowden to say he is "bound for the Republic of Ecuador via a safe route for the purposes of asylum, and is being escorted by diplomats and legal advisors from WikiLeaks". It previously said simply that he was leaving for "a democratic nation".


Breaking News Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino Aroca has tweeted: The Government of Ecuador has received an asylum request from Edward J. #Snowden

[HOLLYWOOD]

Just in time for the Sunday shows Hollywood... the FASCISTS will be screaming on establishment TV....and do they DID!

Gesus, PROPAGANDA SUNDAYS protecting the Fascist State continues. Yeah, it's an all out attack on Snowden and protecting the State. Doesn't matter the channel, pick any of the corporate media, FOX, NBC, CNN, CBS, ABC... all their Sunday 'Goebbels' Shows.

Breaking news

Ecuadorian ambassador arrives in Moscow airport to meet Snowden – report (http://rt.com/news/snowden-fly-moscow-aeroflot-125/)




"Snowden seeks political asylum in Ecuador, per Ecuadorean Foreign Minister."

http://rt.com/on-air/

[Warlord]

Knew he'd go to Ecuador... he's trying to get to Quito as fast as possible without having to hang around in one country for a few days for a scheduled flight so the FASCISTS have a chance to black bag him

[Warlord]

Cuba would be the ultimate "in your face" to nsa, being in our back yard. Especially if he lives there to a ripe old age like castro.

He's probably only going there for a few hours as it's the quickest way to Caracus then from there Quito. He ca be there in 48 hours and have his claim for asylum in whle the bureaucrats in DC try to and catch up and they will of course be too late.

[Anti Federalist]

Mr. Root,

I have no idea who you are, don't care either, but...

I feel much safer knowing my phone records are in Russia because Russia is not liable to indict me.

Wayne Allen Root is another faux-libertarian like Stossel.

Men from boys on this issue.

[Anti Federalist]

Jesus, I'm crying over this...damn it.

Pulling for you brother Ed, praying for you as well.

Godspeed and make these dimwitted fascist fucks look like fools in the bargain.

Lord, hear my prayer.

[Anti Federalist]

This is espionage. Is he debriefing in each country he stops?

I hope the fuck so.

I owe no loyalty to the Evil Empire.

It lost its consent to govern me decades ago.

Fuck the Disctrict of Calamity and everything and everybody in it.

[nbruno322]

Wayne Allen Root is another faux-libertarian like Stossel.

Men from boys on this issue.

Wayne Allen Root is a neocon slime ball. Listen to anything he says on foreign policy, he is nearly indistinguishable from Bill Kristol. I'd never give him a nickel or a vote.

[juleswin]

The irony, fleeing to China then Russia in order to promote honesty and transparency in government.

No irony here. Releasing the information was to promote honesty and transparency in government but fleeing to Russian, China or even Cuba is to avoid ending up like Bradley Manning who if you believe the stories about him have spent months in solitary confinement.

Mike Lee thinks he will receive the best human right treatment if he came back home but the treatment of Bradley Manning and the US having signed the NDAA into law tells me that he is better off in just about any 1st/2nd and even some third world country than he would be coming back home.

Good luck to him and I hope one day we will have an administration that will make it easier for him to return

[otherone]

Wayne Allen Root is another faux-libertarian like Stossel.

Men from boys on this issue.

Methinks any journalist who ever sent a pic of his junk to his girlfriend via email or smartphone will find himself defending the NSA and calling Snowden a traitor.

[Origanalist]

Methinks any journalist who ever sent a pic of his junk to his girlfriend via email or smartphone will find himself defending the NSA and calling Snowden a traitor.

I would rather let the world see my junk than defend the NSA.

[Warlord]

Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino Aroca is to give a news conference at 01:00 BST,

-

That's in 6 hours, US prime time

[Mani]

http://news.yahoo.com/u-revokes-snowdens-passport-official-source-173014919.html

His passport is revoked...from what i've seen HK is a rules oriented place/law oriented. So if they needed further clarification, they will wait for it in writing and thrn reply, back and forth.

So it was a good exit strategy as HK wont detain someone,"just because so and so said to..."

But it seems like he pretty much had to leave fast because im not so sure they allow flying without a valid passport..

Now he really needs to be careful whte he goes.....without a valid passport.....

[RM918]

I'll be the black sheep. Whistleblowing was one thing, but he has gone to far if he is feeding China info in exchange for not being extradited. He knowingly put himself in this situation; should have gone to Iceland to begin with. This is espionage. Is he debriefing in each country he stops?

Giving the Chinese secrets...secretly is one thing, but anything he told them he said in a public venue. What point is airing US 'secrets' if everybody gets to know about them? The US then knows what's out in the open and they can shift their strategy appropriately.

As for him going between China and Russia, well because the US is looking to throw him in a cell for the rest of his life the only places he can really travel through ARE the US's 'enemies', because the US's 'friends' would turn him over.

[otherone]

I would rather let the world see my junk than defend the NSA.

SIGGED!

[Mani]

Brennan Cia director had secret meeting in moscow earlier this week....hmmmmmm

http://rbth.ru/news/2013/06/21/cia_head_paid_a_visit_to_moscow_secretly_-_sources_27357.html

[madengr]

The consequences of his leaking intelligence targets to the Chinese are damaging to individuals. They announced a specific target; a university. Who knows if Snowden told them this; we may never know. The Chinese will find out how thier computers were compromised. If that involves people on the inside (perhaps a dissident), they will be tortured and executed.

As I stated before, he has gone too far. Of course it's obvious why he is doing it, but he put himself in that position by going to Hong Kong (China) in the first place. Why didn't he go to Iceland or Equador in the first place?

[Occam's Banana]

I would rather let the world see my junk than defend the NSA.

There's a simple compromise between these things. Just let the NSA see your junk ...

http://drivelanddialectic.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/braveheartrev032.jpg

[RM918]

The consequences of his leaking intelligence targets to the Chinese are damaging to individuals. The Chinese will find out how thier computers were compromised. If that involves people on the inside (perhaps a dissident), they will be tortured and executed.

But you've got no proof any of that actually happened or is even possible. He didn't even mention any specific targets to my knowledge, and since he revealed this to everybody that means everyone is aware of it and everyone can react to it. If he legitimately wanted to go turncoat, he would've released to this to the Chinese and kept it quiet and probably had quite the payday, but he didn't. This espionage bullshit is just what the establishment cooked up to criminalize anyone who's a threat to them and with all the shit they do, I'd hope you'd know better than to fall for it.

[Origanalist]

SIGGED!

LMAO!

[puppetmaster]

I'll be the black sheep. Whistleblowing was one thing, but he has gone to far if he is feeding China info in exchange for not being extradited. He knowingly put himself in this situation; should have gone to Iceland to begin with. This is espionage. Is he debriefing in each country he stops?....if ..is.....you know nothing so your "this is espionage" is BS...

[Warlord]

Washington is now asking Ecuador, as well as Cuba and Venezuela, not to admit Mr Snowden, a senior Obama administration official tells CNN

[mad cow]

I'm a little nervous after Cuba returned that family in the sailboat this spring.
I hope Russia has a little talk with them about guaranteeing safe passage for Snowden up front,before he arrives there.

[sailingaway]

In a sense that is a shame. I know Russia suggested they would offer him asylum (I have to catch up, I've been out of pocket a couple of days) but people here will be able to spin it more. I saw the google headline last night was 'espionage' not 'whistleblowing' and I don't think we remotely have the evidence to jump to that conclusion.

In any event, this just came off twitter by an account called 'The Fear Dept' which has a DHS like seal as an avatar (see others below):

https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1130115874/seal_med_normal.PNGU.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
Saturday we commanded Hong Kong to arrest #Snowden immediately. Today we received this rude response. pic.twitter.com/OorjztzZaY

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNchxLBCcAAygGy.png:large

U.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
BREAKING: WikiLeaks says #Snowden is on his way to Ecuador to seek asylum. - AP

U.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
The good news? Ecuador is on the equator. Snowden will melt.

U.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
MT @mattyglesias Aggressive anti-leak measures —> leakers seek refuge in unfreindly states —> more anti-leak measures. Rinse & repeat.

I follow Fear Department, you can, here: https://twitter.com/FearDept

[sailingaway]

I like the people I follow on twitter:

Trevor Timm ‏@trevortimm now
Should @davidgregory be prosecuted? When interviewing @ggreenwald, he repeated what govt officials told him about classified FISA opinions.

[Occam's Banana]

I saw the google headline last night was 'espionage' not 'whistleblowing' and I don't think we remotely have the evidence to jump to that conclusion.

I don't have the source handy, but I saw in an article or news vid yesterday that the Associated Press had explicitly instructed its writers not to use "whistleblower" in reference to Snowden. Instead, they are to use "leaker" ...

[mad cow]

In a sense that is a shame. I know Russia suggested they would offer him asylum (I have to catch up, I've been out of pocket a couple of days) but people here will be able to spin it more. I saw the google headline last night was 'espionage' not 'whistleblowing' and I don't think we remotely have the evidence to jump to that conclusion.

In any event, this just came off twitter by an account called 'The Fear Dept' which has a DHS like seal as an avatar (see others below):

https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1130115874/seal_med_normal.PNGU.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
Saturday we commanded Hong Kong to arrest #Snowden immediately. Today we received this rude response. pic.twitter.com/OorjztzZaY

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNchxLBCcAAygGy.png:large

U.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
BREAKING: WikiLeaks says #Snowden is on his way to Ecuador to seek asylum. - AP

U.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
The good news? Ecuador is on the equator. Snowden will melt.

U.S. Dept. of Fear ‏@FearDept now
MT @mattyglesias Aggressive anti-leak measures —> leakers seek refuge in unfreindly states —> more anti-leak measures. Rinse & repeat.

I follow Fear Department, you can, here: https://twitter.com/FearDept

Dear US Government,
Blow it out yer ass.
Yours,HKSAR

Marge...?Run this down to legal and have them clean it up a little...but not too much.

[HOLLYWOOD]

Russsian perspective
Today, 19:43 Ecuadorian Ambassador to meet Snowden in Moscow
http://m.ruvr.ru/2013/06/23/15/e_kvador.jpg-large.1000x297x1.jpg
Diplomatic Ecuador car at Sheremetyevo airport Photo: Voice of Russia


Ecuador's ambassador to Russia said he expected to have talks with former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden in Moscow on Sunday.

Ambassador Patricio Alberto Chavez Zavala did not say what he would discuss with Snowden and Sarah Harrison, a representative of the WikiLeaks anti-secrecy group.
But he told reporters as he entered an airport hotel: "We're waiting for Sarah. We're going to talk to them."
Ecuador is a possible destination for Snowden, who is believed to have flown from Hong Kong to Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport earlier on Sunday.
Ecuador's Foreign Minister says in his Twitter that Ecuador already has received asylum request from Edward Snowden.
Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said on Sunday that former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden had asked Ecuador for asylum.
"The Government of Ecuador has received an asylum request from Edward J. #Snowden," Patino, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, said on Twitter.
Meanwhile ABC reports that Snowden's passport was revoked on Saturday, leaving US officials even more baffled as to how he was allowed to fly out from Hong Kong.
It is, however, unlikely to be a problem for Russia – if Snowden is in transit and never leaves the airport, his immigration status is not Moscow's issue.
Snowden transferring to 'third country' via Moscow. LIVE UPDATES (http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_06_23/Snowden-transferring-to-third-country-via-Moscow-5290/)
Security tightened at Sheremetyevo Airport after Snowden's arrival
Unprecedented security measures have been taken at the Sheremetyevo Airport in connection with former CIA officer Edward Snowden's arrival, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax.
"All necessary security measures have been taken to maintain Snowden's security and to guarantee his safe departure. Everything has been done to allow Snowden to spend the night peacefully at the airport's capsule hotel and to fly quietly to Cuba," the source said.
Reports said earlier that Snowed is currently at the Sheremetyevo Airport. "Snowden is a transit passenger who will fly to Cuba.
He is currently at the airport, where he ought to be while waiting for his next flight," the source said.
A source in Aeroflot told Interfax that Snowden had booked a room in a capsule hotel at Sheremetyevo Airport's Terminal E.
"He has arrived, but he cannot leave the terminal as he has no Russian visa," he said, adding that, WikiLeaks representative Sara Harrison, who is accompanying Snowden, has a Russian visa.
Without a visa former CIA officer Edward Snowden will not be able to leave the Sheremetyevo airport, where he arrived from Hong Kong (http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_06_23/Snowden-transferring-to-third-country-via-Moscow-5290/), an airport source told Interfax.
"Snowden cannot be taken out of the airport even in a diplomatic car since he has neither an ordinary, nor a diplomatic visa," he said.
Ecuadoran diplomats whose car was seen at the airport, could have arrived either for talks with Snowden, or for a meeting with WikiLeaks lawyers, who have visas, he said.
At present ex-CIA officer Edward Snowden is still at Sheremetyevo Airport, a source in the airport's services told Interfax.
"Snowden is a transit passenger who will fly to Cuba. He is currently at the airport, where he ought to be while waiting for his next flight," the source said.
A source in Aeroflot told Interfax that Snowden had booked a room in a capsule hotel at Sheremetyevo Airport's Terminal E.
"He has arrived, but he cannot leave the terminal as he has no Russian visa," he said, adding that, WikiLeaks representative Sara Harrison, who is accompanying Snowden, has a Russian visa.
A diplomat of the Ecuadoran embassy arrived at Terminal F, but left after spending some time at the airport.
Ecuador once granted refuge to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in its embassy in London, and it was named by the media among the countries Snowden may travel to.
Meanwhile Chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov does not think Moscow's readiness to consider granting political refuge to ex-CIA officer Edward Snowden would be a bounce back to the Cold War.
"It was strange to hear that Snowden is flying to Moscow from Hong Kong as an ordinary passenger. The U.S,. wants him very much, but China did not surrender him," Pushkov wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
"Speculations have got round that Russia's possible consent to grant political refugee to Snowden would be an act of Cold War. If spying wearing a wig is a norm, the granting of political refuge is not an act, either," Pushkov said.
The daily Kommersant earlier reported that if Snowden, who leaked data about American special services' surveillance on the Internet, applies for political refuge in Russia, the request would be considered.
Meanwhile, a source close to Snowden told Interfax that he would travel to Venezuela via Moscow and Havana.
He has chosen this complicated route hoping that he would not be detained and quietly reach the point of destination - Venezuela.
So he will have to make two stopovers, flying from Hong Kong to Moscow, from Moscow to Havana and from Havana to Caracas, he said.
Snowden in Russian airspace - WikiLeaks (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Snowden-in-Russian-airspace-WikiLeaks-7310/)
Former US intelligence operative Edward Snowden is in Russian airspace, whistleblowing website WikiLeaks said on Sunday after earlier announcing that it had helped him to secure political asylum in a "democratic country".
"Mr Snowden is currently over Russian airspace accompanied by WikiLeaks legal advisors," WikiLeaks said on Twitter.
It said earlier it had assisted him with "political asylum in a democratic country, travel papers and safe exit from Hong Kong".
Nobody will detain Snowden at Sheremetyevo, if his visa is alright - police (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Nobody-will-detain-Snowden-at-Sheremetyevo-if-his-visa-is-alright-police-3897/)
The police at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport don't plan to detain former CIA employee Edward Snowden when he arrives in Moscow.
"We have not received any instructions concerning this person, however, in order to enter Russian territory he should have a valid visa," Interfax was told at the police unit of the airport.

Snowden's ultimate destination Venezuela where he will fly to from Moscow with stopover in Havana (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Snowden-to-proceed-to-Havana-Caracas-after-Moscow-stop-4486/)
A source with the Aeroflot airlines confirmed that the a man named Snowden was listed among passengers of Flight Su213 bound for Moscow. According to the source, the same passenger is to leave for Cuba on June 24 aboard Aeroflot Flight SU150.
Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee charged with espionage in the United States, is flying to Cuba via Moscow, a source close to Snowden said.
"He has departed on a direct flight for Moscow and will be there in the evening. But he will not stay in Moscow long. He discussed an option of further transit to Cuba," the source added.
However, Snowden will decide himself on his ultimate destination.
"It is not known exactly where he will decide to fly to from Moscow. Maybe he will want to remain in Moscow," the source added.
Meanwhile, a source at Aeroflot has confirmed to Interfax that there is a passenger with the name of Snowden on the SU213 flight to Moscow.
He said that on June 24 the same passenger is flying to Cuba on the SU150 flight.
WikiLeaks says assists Snowden's political asylum in 'democratic country' (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/WikiLeaks-says-assists-Snowdens-political-asylum-in-democratic-country-8699/)
Whistleblowing organization WikiLeaks has rallied behind Snowden and said they are assisting him in his bid for political asylum in a “democratic country.”
The group announced on Twitter that they helped obtain “travel documents” and ensured his safe exit from Hong Kong.
A member of the WikiLeaks legal team is also accompanying the NSA leaker on his flight to Moscow.
HK confirms Snowden to fly through Moscow to 'third country' (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/HK-confirms-Snowden-en-route-to-third-country-trough-Moscow-0972/)
Hong Kong has confirmed US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden will fly through Moscow to a "third country". A spokesperson from the Hong Kong government confirmed to press that Edward Snowden had "legally and voluntarily" left the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Sunday that he was unaware of the location or plans of former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.
“Mr. Edward Snowden left Hong Kong today (June 23) on his own accord for a third country through a lawful and normal channel,” said the Hong Kong government in a press release. The statement also said the documents for Snowden’s extradition submitted by Washington “did not fully comply with the legal requirements under Hong Kong law.”
“As the HKSAR Government has yet to have sufficient information to process the request for provisional warrant of arrest, there is no legal basis to restrict Mr. Snowden from leaving Hong Kong.”
The only Aeroflot flight that arrives from Hong Kong into Moscow’s Sheremetevo airport today is at 17:05 local time (13:05 GMT).
Snowden left lawfully 'on his own accord' - Hong Kong (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Snowden-left-lawfully-on-his-own-accord-Hong-Kong-3578/)
A spokesperson from the Hong Kong government confirmed to press that Edward Snowden had "legally and voluntarily" left the country.
Former US intelligence technician Edward Snowden departed Hong Kong on Sunday through "legal" means, the local government confirmed.
"Snowden today voluntarily left Hong Kong for a third country through legal and normal means," a Hong Kong government spokesman said in a press statement.
The statement added that Hong Kong had "not obtained adequate information" to handle a provisional arrest warrant for Snowden issued by the United States.
Snowden leaves Hong Kong on Aeroflot flight to Moscow (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Snowden-leaves-Hong-Kong-on-Aeroflot-flight-to-Moscow-3097/)
US whistleblower Edward Snowden is en route to Moscow from Hong Kong on an Aeroflot flight, reports AFP.
Former US intelligence technician Edward Snowden is en route from Hong Kong to Moscow heading to a third destination, the South China Morning Post reported Sunday.
"US whistleblower Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong on an Aeroflot flight to Moscow, credible sources have confirmed to the South China Morning Post," the newspaper, which has carried exclusive interviews with Snowden in Hong Kong, said in a brief report on its website.
"Moscow will not be his final destination," it said, raising the possibility of Iceland or Ecuador as Snowden's final destination.
Kremlin unaware of Snowden’s plans (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Kremlin-unaware-of-Snowden-s-plans-8863/)
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Sunday that he was unaware of the location or plans of former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.
Snowden didn’t ask for asylum last week – Russian diplomat (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_23/Snowden-didn-t-ask-for-asylum-last-week-Russian-diplomat-4536/)
The former US intelligence worker and the man at the center of global data scooping scandal, Edward Snowden, didn’t ask Russia to grant him political asylum last week, Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency has cited an unnamed diplomatic source as saying Sunday
“We lodged no pleas from Snowden last week and till the end of Friday,” the diplomat was quoted as saying.
United States urges Hong Kong to act soon on Snowden extradition (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_22/United-States-urges-Hong-Kong-to-act-soon-on-Snowden-extradition-9806/)
The United States pressured Hong Kong on Saturday to act soon on its request to extradite former U.S. government contractor Edward Snowden to face espionage charges.
"If Hong Kong doesn't act soon, it will complicate our bilateral relations and raise questions about Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law," said a senior Obama administration official.
US 'expects' Hong Kong to extradite NSA leaker Snowden (http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_22/US-expects-Hong-Kong-to-extradite-NSA-leaker-Snowden-3973/)
The United States has gone to Hong Kong authorities seeking the extradition of Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who exposed secret U.S. surveillance programs, outgoing White House National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said on Saturday.
Donilon said the White House expects Hong Kong to move forward with the extradition.
"We believe that the charges presented, present a good case for extradition under the treaty, the extradition treaty between the United States and Hong Kong," Donilon told CBS Radio News White House correspondent Mark Knoller. "Hong Kong has been a historically good partner of the United States in law enforcement matters, and we expect them to comply with the treaty in this case."
Voice of Russia, AFP, Reuters, CBS News, RT, AFP, TASS (http://www.itar-tass.com/), RIA, Interfax

[Anti Federalist]

My first thoughts when reading the title, growing up during the cold war and reading about soviet citizens defecting to America. Never thought back then I would see the day Americans would defect to Russia for asylum.

People that knew better tried to warn us, 50 years ago that we would be turning into the USSR.

[daviddee]

...

[opal]

Dear US Government,
Blow it out yer ass.
Yours,HKSAR

Marge...?Run this down to legal and have them clean it up a little...but not too much.

ok.. that was darn funny right there.. almost made me pee my pants ya did



Does anyone else find it more than ironic that the world can track this one guy - almost to the minute, and it took how long to find the alleged Bin Laden, and here on home soil, they cannot find and remove illegal aliens?

[daviddee]

...

[Anti Federalist]

My friend, you are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and Nationalistic Pride.

Espionage is a government bullshit creation. If your desire is to defend govt (as a concept) then I think you might be on the wrong site.

The USA has secrets, as do most govts, because secrets means you are doing shit you should not be doing... Such as running an empire that crushes the natural rights of your citizens and citizens of the world.

As to the "debriefing", this furthers the incorrect belief that the USA had any right to be intercepting data, attacking sovereign nation's systems, etc etc. While ginning up hatred domestically accusing the Chinese of being the biggest threat to the US data systems. Note to self: when the US govt bangs its fist they are trying to deflect attention from their own actions. They do this over and over throughout the decades.

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/article/media_slots/photos/000/760/085/applause-gif-tumblr-47_original.gif?1363040789

[HOLLYWOOD]

If this doesn't convince you there's only one media outlet in the US, (which is the primary public relations firms of the US government's Department of Propaganda).

Man, talk about Fascist Crack Cocaine Corporate Media:


'MSNBC show 'DISRUPT with Karen Finney' covering Eduard Snowden's travels and news.

Host Karen Finney yakkin with paid pundits, agrees with Senator Lindsey Graham's statements about Snowden

[Carlybee]

Is this his real Twitter account? https://twitter.com/EJosephSnowden

[HOLLYWOOD]

Is this his real Twitter account? https://twitter.com/EJosephSnowdenAsk Glen Greenwald on Twitter. ;)

I think Greenwald said, 'anything/anyone claiming to be Snowden on Twitter are phony'

[Carlybee]

Ask Glen Greenwald on Twitter. ;)

I think Greenwald said, 'anything/anyone claiming to be Snowden on Twitter are phony'


Okay...wondered, because people are talking to him as if it is really him and "he" is answering.

[daviddee]

...

[angelatc]

Is this his real Twitter account? https://twitter.com/EJosephSnowden

Of course I don't know for sure, but Greenwald has said in general that Snowden does not have a Twitter account, and specifically that that one is a fake.

[angelatc]

A tweet from ABC's foreign news editor noted this:
Snowden's Aeroflot flight to Havana passes thru US airspace. Will Federal authorities allow wanted man to fly over US or make plane land?

[opal]

geeeze.. shit - that's a pickle no one wants to be in.. another though.. what if the plane is *air Cuba* if that's indeed an airline.. or some other unwelcome airline...

[ClydeCoulter]

Talking points:

Snowden's travels raise concerns of foreign involvement
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/06/23/snowden-hongkong-russia-ecuador-leak-security-cuba/2450577/

[UWDude]

Snowden, I guarantee, is not announcing his steps before he takes them, and neither is Russia. However Snowden gets to wherever he is going is not going to be announced. I would laugh in the face of the NSA, FBI, CIA and all the other fools if they thought he is actually just going to try to waltz around the globe, publicly announcing his flights.

[daviddee]

...

[UWDude]

And now you know why he went via Moscow.

The US Govt will not shoot down an AeroFlot flight and Putin will not allow a Russian flight to be fucked with. The US will escort it with jets, they will tell them to land, they will fuck with them, but I can assure you that the pilot flying this particular AeroFlot flight will be a high level Russian Air Force pilot. Putin has given orders to not land under any circumstance. Do you think this pilot will disobey Putin or disobey the US?

What will be really interesting is if the AeroFlot flight is escorted by Russian Air Force fighters. <- This would be mind blowing

I suspect as soon as the plane exits Canadian airspace it will divert deep into airspace over the Atlantic and then break hard somewhere in the Caribbean and fly west to Cuba.

The next 24 hours are going to be very interesting...

In the meantime, Snowden, with pitch black hair and a fake Mongolian passport, has landed in Hawaii.
Next stop, Ecuador.

[alucard13mm]

Too bad Assange is still trapped in Ecuadorian soil.

[Carson]

Snowden, I guarantee, is not announcing his steps before he takes them, and neither is Russia. However Snowden gets to wherever he is going is not going to be announced. I would laugh in the face of the NSA, FBI, CIA and all the other fools if they thought he is actually just going to try to waltz around the globe, publicly announcing his flights.

I wouldn't be to quick to laugh. The whole thing about pointing out the spying that is going on is the pervasiveness of it. There are lots of ways to inadvertently tip people off and get yourself sold down the river (announce).

[Carson]

Too bad Assange is still trapped in Ecuadorian soil.


Is it him trapped or is it us...all of us.

[tod evans]

Is it him trapped or is it us...all of us.

"Our government" hasn't represented me or my views ever.

The assertion that Assange can hold leverage over any of the peons like myself is ludicrous.

I for one would like to see governmental heads roll!

Dust off the constitution and start over..

[Occam's Banana]

Is it him trapped or is it us...all of us.

http://www.terindell.com/asylum/docs/gif/come_outside.gif


[Wonko the Sane's] house was certainly peculiar, and since this was the first thing that Fenchurch and Arthur had encountered it would help to know what it was like.

It was like this:

It was inside out.

Actually inside out, to the extent that they had had to park on the carpet.

All along what one would normally call the outer wall, which was decorated in a tasteful interior-deisgned pink, were bookshelves, also a couple of those odd three-legged tables with semicircular tops which stand in such a way as to suggest that someone just dropped the wall straight through them, and pictures which were clearly designed to soothe.

Where it got really odd was the roof.

It folded back on itself like something that M. C. Escher, had he been given to hard nights on the town, which it is no part of this narrative's purpose to suggest was the case, though it is sometimes hard, looking at his pictures, particularly the one with all the awkward steps, not to wonder, might have dreamed up after having been on one, for the little chandeliers which should have been hanging inside were on the outside pointing up.

Confusing.

The sign above the front door read "Come Outside," and so, nervously, they had.

Inside, of course, was where the Outside was. Rough brickwork, nicely done pointing, gutters in good repair, a garden path, a couple of small trees, some rooms leading off.

And the inner walls stretched down, folded curiously, and opened at the end as if, by and optical illusion which would have had M. C. Escher frowning and wondering how it was done, to enclose the Pacific Ocean itself.

"Hello," said John Watson, Wonko the Sane.

Good, they thought to themselves, "hello" is something we can cope with.

"Hello," they said, and all, surprisingly, was smiles.

. . . "Your wife," said Arthur, looking around, "mentioned some toothpicks." He said it with a hunted look, as if he was worried that she might suddenly leap out from behind a door and mention them again.

Wonko the Sane laughed. It was a light easy laugh, and sounded like one he had used a lot before and was happy with.

"Ah yes," he said, "that's to do with the day I finally realized that the world had gone totally mad and built the Asylum to put it in, poor thing, and hoped it would get better."

This was the point at which Arthur began to feel a little nervous again.

"Here," said Wonko the Sane, "we are outside the Asylum." He pointed again at the rough brickwork, the pointing, and the gutters. "Go through that door" -- he pointed at the first door through which they had originally entered -- "and you go into the Asylum. I've tried to decorate it nicely to keep the inmates happy, but there's very little one can do. I never go in there myself. If I ever am tempted, which these days I rarely am, I simply look at the sign written over the door and I shy away."

"That one?" said Fenchurch, pointing, rather puzzled, at a blue plaque with some instructions written on it.

"Yes. They are the words that finally turned me into the hermit I have now become. It was quite sudden. I saw them, and I knew what I had to do."

The sign read: "Hold stick near center of its length. Moisten pointed end in mouth. Insert in tooth space, blunt end next to gum. Use gentle in-out motion."

"It seemed to me," said Wonko the Sane, "that any civilization that had so far lost its head as to need to include a set of detailed instructions for use in a package of toothpicks, was no longer a civilization in which I could live and stay sane."

He gazed out at the Pacific again, as if daring it to rave and gibber at him, but it lay there calmly and played with the sandpipers.

[puppetmaster]

"Meanwhile ABC reports that Snowden's passport was revoked on Saturday, leaving US officials even more baffled as to how he was allowed to fly out from Hong Kong."


Keep in mind that he was working for the CIA and working at an embassy. He could have gotten another passport years ago...


This is another reminder that everyone should actively pursue any and all (legal) possibilities for a 2nd or 3rd passport.

Unlike most Americans, I value them higher than an iPad.

Love it!

[politics]

ecuadorian chancellor may pronounce tommorrow about refuge

http://spanish.peopledaily.com.cn/31618/8296388.html

[angelatc]

And now you know why he went via Moscow.

The US Govt will not shoot down an AeroFlot flight and Putin will not allow a Russian flight to be fucked with. The US will escort it with jets, they will tell them to land, they will fuck with them, but I can assure you that the pilot flying this particular AeroFlot flight will be a high level Russian Air Force pilot. Putin has given orders to not land under any circumstance. Do you think this pilot will disobey Putin or disobey the US?

What will be really interesting is if the AeroFlot flight is escorted by Russian Air Force fighters. <- This would be mind blowing

I suspect as soon as the plane exits Canadian airspace it will divert deep into airspace over the Atlantic and then break hard somewhere in the Caribbean and fly west to Cuba.

The next 24 hours are going to be very interesting...

I hope you're right.

[subsidizing failure]

I'm curious as to how Hannity and Rush will conform to the CIA talking points. They came out backing Snowden.

[Mani]

I just realized this is a real life version of: Where in the world is carmen san diego?

"To hong Kong to moscow to havana and back!! tell me where in the world is Edward joseph snowden...."

[Occam's Banana]

I'm curious as to how Hannity and Rush will conform to the CIA talking points. They came out backing Snowden.

Limbaugh has already started calling Snowden a "drama queen": http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?418670-Rush-Edward-Snowden-is-a-quot-drama-queen-quot

Apparently, certain blowhards got a little ahead of themselves in their enthusiasm at the opportunity l'affaire Snowden afforded for bashing the Obama administration.

But do not fret, good citizen! The quarter of the wind has been detected, messages are being synchronized, and cognitive dissonances are being dampened & suppressed. If it has not already arrived, your pre-approved opinion about these matters will be delivered to you shortly ...

[puppetmaster]

I'm curious as to how Hannity and Rush will conform to the CIA talking points. They came out backing Snowden....bet they change their little minds and talk shit based on his Russian -Cuba partners.

[J_White]

My first thoughts when reading the title, growing up during the cold war and reading about soviet citizens defecting to America. Never thought back then I would see the day Americans would defect to Russia for asylum.

that really puts things in perspective !! how things have changed .

[UWDude]

Brennan Cia director had secret meeting in moscow earlier this week....hmmmmmm

http://rbth.ru/news/2013/06/21/cia_head_paid_a_visit_to_moscow_secretly_-_sources_27357.html

Why America would think any kind of negotiation with Putin would be worth anything is anyone's guess. Putin knows Americans always negotiate pittance. Putin knew the United States was not going to offer complete withdrawal from Syria in exchange for Snowden.

A bunch of congressmen and NSA FBI CIA are about to be surprised when Putin takes their super bowl ring, and pockets it. LoL!!

[better-dead-than-fed]

Realtime updates from someone at the Moscow airport: https://twitter.com/LidKelly, via the good people at https://twitter.com/Cryptomeorg

[UWDude]

Realtime updates from someone at the Moscow airport: https://twitter.com/LidKelly, via the good people at https://twitter.com/Cryptomeorg

LoL, Reuter's correspondent doesn't speak Russian.

"Stairs up, rukav moving. What's rukav in English???"

[better-dead-than-fed]

"Standing next to Edward Snowden's seat on flight to Cuba. He ain't here."

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNhGhbiCUAEQWAE.jpg

https://twitter.com/maxseddon/statuses/349106511257161729

[UWDude]

"Standing next to Edward Snowden's seat on flight to Cuba. He ain't here."


https://twitter.com/maxseddon/statuses/349106511257161729

Why would this guy think he knows where Snowden is, or was supposed to be??

[better-dead-than-fed]

realtime updates from the seat itself:

http://i.imgur.com/nDmRt0I.png

https://twitter.com/SnowdensSeat