The whereabouts of Edward Snowden, the man wanted by the United States for turning over documents that outlined the eavesdropping tactics used by the United States to spy on Verizon customers as well as users of some of the largest Internet companies is currnetly unknown.
Snowden, who had vowed to stand and fight the United States in Hong Kong left that country after extradition proceeding began. He flew to Russia on Sunday as he worked to make his way to Equador.
Snowden’s intentions were to fly from Moscow to Havana, Cuba, then possibly on to Venezuela as he attempts to get to Equador.
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Snowden was booked on an Aeroflot flight departing Moscow to Havana on Monday, but there is no record he boarded that flight before its scheduled departure. It is unkown if Snowden is still in Russia or has utilized another avenue of escape from U.S. authorities. It is not even know if he has chosen another country for asylum.
Equador’s foreign minister said that they have not yet decided on Snowden’s request for asylum. But, they did say that they would not be deciding it on their interests, but rather on its principles of freedom of expression as they consider his request. They have not set a time that they will make that decision.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said while in New Delhi, that there would be serious consequences for countries that choose to help Snowden avoid arrest. He said it would be deeply troubling that Hong Kong or Russia had adequate notice and ignored the efforts of the U.S. in apprehending Snowden. He stated, “There would be, without any question, some affect, an impact on the relationship and consequences. With respect to Russia, likewise.”
Kerry pointed out that the U.S. has transferred seven prisoners back to Russia at their request and called for reciprocity.
Julian Assange told reporters that Snowden was being accompanied by diplomats as well as Wikileak’s legal advisors and is taking a safe route. He failed to say however if Snowden is in fact bound for Equador or if he is headed for a different country to seek asylum.