MOSCOW/HONG KONG: Russia defied White House pressure on Monday to expel former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden to the United States before he flees Moscow on the next stop of his globe-crossing escape from US prosecution.
Snowden, whose exposure of secret US government surveillance raised questions about intrusion into private lives, was allowed to leave Hong Kong yesterday after Washington asked the Chinese territory to arrest him on espionage charges.
Snowden, 29, has kept out of sight in the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport as Ecuador says it considers his request for asylum.
His decision to fly to Russia, which like China challenges U.S. dominance of global diplomacy, is another embarrassment to President Barack Obama who has tried to “reset” ties with Moscow and build a partnership with Beijing. The White House said it expected the Russian government to send Snowden back to the United States and lodged “strong objections” to Hong Kong and China for letting him go.
“We expect the Russian government to look at all options available to expel Mr Snowden back to the US to face justice for the crimes with which he is charged,” said Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for the National Security Council. The Russian government ignored the appeal and President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary denied any knowledge of Snowden’s movements.
Asked if Snowden had spoken to the Russian authorities, Peskov said: “Overall, we have no information about him.” He declined comment on the expulsion request but other Russian officials said Moscow had no obligation to cooperate with Washington after it passed legislation to impose visa bans and asset freezes on Russians accused of violating human rights.
“Why should the United States expect restraint and understanding from Russia?” said Alexei Pushkov, the head of the foreign affairs committee in the lower house of parliament. (PTI)