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Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:35 AM Jul 2013

Breaking: Snowden asks for asylum in Russia

Source: Tweet

A???J?sт?c?S??к?я ?@Anon2k13 7m
BREAKING: #Snowden asks for asylum in Russia - participant at the meeting in Moscow http://on.rt.com/tmfh8r

Read more: https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%23Snowden&src=tyah



Just breaking on twitter
Follow the GD LIVE thread for details:
Snowden meeting in Moscow with Human Rights Groups now (Live)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023231439

Watch LIVE on RT Russia:


=========
More details on edits:
Snowden asks for temporary asylum in Russia
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/07/12/edward-snowden-moscow-airport/2511207/

MOSCOW — Edward Snowden, the alleged National Security Agency leaker, said Friday at a meeting with human rights groups at a Moscow airport that he is seeking temporary political asylum in Russia as a means for seeking permament status in a Latin American country.

Snowden spoke to reporters while meeting with representatives of eight human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

According to Tatyana Lokshina of Human Rights Watch, Snowden seeks to stay in Russia as he "can't fly to Latin America yet," RT.com reports.

Snowden says the government in Western Europe and North American are are acting outside the law by preventing him from traveling.




Post-Snowden Statement, the real question now is, "Have Republicans been spying on Democrats?"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023233275
59 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Breaking: Snowden asks for asylum in Russia (Original Post) Coyotl Jul 2013 OP
Probably unreadierLizard Jul 2013 #1
Agreed. n/t Laelth Jul 2013 #3
Pussy Riot will rot in jail while Snowden eats caviar uhnope Jul 2013 #43
Wrong. Asylum is a guaranteed human right. Coyotl Jul 2013 #4
Except when bully Uncle Sam doesn't want someone to have it. n/t Cleita Jul 2013 #13
Wrong. The USA is a member of the UN. Coyotl Jul 2013 #20
Since when did the US ever pay much attention to the UN. Cleita Jul 2013 #24
But seemingly the US only recognises sections it wants to recognise dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #32
Guaranteed by whom? It is normal for passports to be confiscated or revoked pnwmom Jul 2013 #33
Except for non-political crimes hack89 Jul 2013 #34
Except thats for those fleeing persecution. cstanleytech Jul 2013 #46
He's straight so he has nothing to fear. nt hack89 Jul 2013 #2
Thank goodness! DCBob Jul 2013 #6
Straight, White, Christian, Loves Authoritarian Capitalism dbackjon Jul 2013 #21
Here, here. dawn frenzy adams Jul 2013 #55
Yup. Fearless Jul 2013 #23
That was the plan Iliyah Jul 2013 #5
Misleading subject line.............. George II Jul 2013 #10
Go back to the OP Coyotl Jul 2013 #15
I did... George II Jul 2013 #58
RT News Snowden wants asylum in Russia, ready to meet condition not to damage US dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #7
Putin is thinking "Oh shit" - or perhaps "nice bargaining chip." nt hack89 Jul 2013 #9
Putin already offered him asylum providing he didn't release the information he had. Cleita Jul 2013 #14
Do you think Snowden can keep his mouth shout? hack89 Jul 2013 #17
If he's granted asylum, he needs to meet the terms or have it revoked. Cleita Jul 2013 #22
So why should Putin let Snowden use him like this? hack89 Jul 2013 #25
Who knows but now you are speculating. Cleita Jul 2013 #26
I just have to laugh at anyone who trusts Putin and puts his life in his hands hack89 Jul 2013 #28
Oh, he's desperate all right. Our government has put a vise grip on him. Cleita Jul 2013 #30
Sure its speculation however Snowden was willing to freely give China classified information cstanleytech Jul 2013 #47
Easy for him to stop damaging the US. The media already has all the stories heh. BenzoDia Jul 2013 #18
I suspect that it's what could be called hollow. Igel Jul 2013 #56
I'm sure that makes Anna Chapman very happy nt MrScorpio Jul 2013 #8
Temporary asylum according to USA Today dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #11
He probably needs to do this just to...... Bonhomme Richard Jul 2013 #19
There is fact mention in one of the news links above dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #37
Didn't Russia recently Iliyah Jul 2013 #38
They're the same as the US dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #39
The YouTube LIVE feed has more now Coyotl Jul 2013 #12
NOW,,,,,,, Cryptoad Jul 2013 #16
The only place logistics will let him reach at this point. onehandle Jul 2013 #27
I dont think they will. cstanleytech Jul 2013 #48
Until the release of Edward #Snowden's statement press reportage should be treated with caution. Coyotl Jul 2013 #29
What, he's not enjoying his stay at the airport? Beacool Jul 2013 #31
Bitter much? former9thward Jul 2013 #42
My wishes? Beacool Jul 2013 #45
So you must think it was ok Scooter Libby was given a get out jail card, right? cstanleytech Jul 2013 #49
Accuracy is so hard to find on the internet. former9thward Jul 2013 #51
Convicted "only" for lying yes however he did reveal Plames name cstanleytech Jul 2013 #57
An anonymous poster knows more than the special prosecutor. former9thward Jul 2013 #59
exactly right. uhnope Jul 2013 #44
he doesn't give a shit , it's all about HIM HIM HIM JI7 Jul 2013 #54
this is probably the safest and most practical thing for him to do Douglas Carpenter Jul 2013 #35
Yes, he has been forced into this position by the U.S. avaistheone1 Jul 2013 #36
Ohhh, so now revealing to China that the US had managed to penetrate computers in China cstanleytech Jul 2013 #50
Statement by Edward Snowden to human rights groups at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport Coyotl Jul 2013 #40
The US will not have to worry about extradition of Snowden for he will be spied and they will not Thinkingabout Jul 2013 #41
Question : Did Snowden work for NSA BEFORE Obama took office? benld74 Jul 2013 #52
he can rot blue cat Jul 2013 #53

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
24. Since when did the US ever pay much attention to the UN.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:12 AM
Jul 2013

Pay attention. We do it only when it suits us.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
32. But seemingly the US only recognises sections it wants to recognise
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:25 AM
Jul 2013


According to Ellen Barry and Tanya Lokshina, Snowden is saying he cannot appeal to international organisations because they require that you come to them.

He says he is recognised as an asylum seeker by the UN High Commission on Refugees – but the US, he says, does not recognise this, as the Morales plane affair showed.

extracted from Guardian live 2.43pm BST

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/edward-snowden-to-meet-amnesty-and-human-rights-watch-at-moscow-airport-live-coverag.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
33. Guaranteed by whom? It is normal for passports to be confiscated or revoked
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:26 AM
Jul 2013

when people are charged with felonies.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
46. Except thats for those fleeing persecution.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 12:21 PM
Jul 2013

Snowden isnt fleeing persecution though he is fleeing prosecution not for having a different faith or being of a different race but rather he is wanted by the US for breaking a number of laws.

Iliyah

(25,111 posts)
5. That was the plan
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:43 AM
Jul 2013

all along. Ummmmmmm, Russia the land of the freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Didn't I read an article where a jailed whistle-blower died in prison.

George II

(67,782 posts)
10. Misleading subject line..............
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:46 AM
Jul 2013

...in fact he is IN Russia but asking for asylum in Venezuela (or maybe some other country) I don't see anything saying that he's asking to be granted asylum from Russia.

George II

(67,782 posts)
58. I did...
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 07:38 PM
Jul 2013
"seeking temporary political asylum in Russia as a means for seeking permament status in a Latin American country."

Not what the subject line is, implying he's seeking asylum in Russia.

If he's in Moscow, can't travel anywhere else right now, what's the point of "temporary asylum"?

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
7. RT News Snowden wants asylum in Russia, ready to meet condition not to damage US
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:44 AM
Jul 2013

Snowden wants asylum in Russia, ready to meet condition not to damage US

NSA leaker & former CIA employee Edward Snowden has asked for political asylum in Russia, saying he could not fly to Latin America, according to Human Rights Watch representative who met the whistleblower.

According to Tatyana Lokshina of Human Rights Watch, Snowden seeks to stay in Russia as he “can’t fly to Latin America yet.”

Thirteen Russian and international human rights advocates and lawyers have gathered at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport for a meeting with Snowden scheduled for 5pm Moscow time (13:00 GMT). The NSA leaker was expected to speak out about the US persecution campaign.

http://rt.com/news/snowden-meets-rights-activists-013/

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
14. Putin already offered him asylum providing he didn't release the information he had.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:57 AM
Jul 2013

That was more than a week ago.

hack89

(39,171 posts)
17. Do you think Snowden can keep his mouth shout?
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:07 AM
Jul 2013

is he going to quietly live in exile for the rest of his life and never speak out again on human rights?

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
22. If he's granted asylum, he needs to meet the terms or have it revoked.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:11 AM
Jul 2013

You need to pay attention. He's only looking for temporary asylum until he can get permanent asylum in Latin America. I'm listening to the English version live feed of RT. He seems to have been blacklisted from many airlines. His passport has been revoked so he's looking for a temporary solution until he can get the other problems taken care of.

hack89

(39,171 posts)
25. So why should Putin let Snowden use him like this?
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:14 AM
Jul 2013

Putin will have a price - it will be interesting to see what it is. I suspect full cooperation with the Russian security services will be the price of admission.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
26. Who knows but now you are speculating.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:17 AM
Jul 2013

I will wait and see. They also said the Russian parliament is not in session and they would have to make the decision. So he will still have to wait unless Putin has some kind of power we don't know about to bypass them.

hack89

(39,171 posts)
28. I just have to laugh at anyone who trusts Putin and puts his life in his hands
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:20 AM
Jul 2013

it merely shows how desperate Snowden is.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. One thing is certain - Snowden no longer has control of his future. He is now just a pawn to be played.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
30. Oh, he's desperate all right. Our government has put a vise grip on him.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:23 AM
Jul 2013

I don't think he should be charged with espionage. It's overkill. He will never come back for trial considering our government's track record on how we treat whistleblowers since the Bradley Manning incident.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
47. Sure its speculation however Snowden was willing to freely give China classified information
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 12:25 PM
Jul 2013

for free so what makes you think he wont give it to Russia for their protection even temporarily seeing as he gave information to China already until he can arrange transportation to some other country?

Igel

(35,191 posts)
56. I suspect that it's what could be called hollow.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 06:47 PM
Jul 2013

Sure, Snowden will not release any more information.

It's all been given to somebody else to release--all that Snowden will have to do is not stop it.

He would find that Putin doesn't play childish language games or let form get in the way of substance.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
11. Temporary asylum according to USA Today
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 09:46 AM
Jul 2013

MOSCOW — Edward Snowden, the alleged National Security Agency leaker, said Friday at a meeting with human rights groups at a Moscow airport that he is seeking temporary political asylum in Russia as a means for seeking permament status in a Latin American country.

>

According to Tatyana Lokshina of Human Rights Watch, Snowden seeks to stay in Russia as he "can't fly to Latin America yet," RT.com reports.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/07/12/edward-snowden-moscow-airport/2511207/

Bonhomme Richard

(8,992 posts)
19. He probably needs to do this just to......
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:09 AM
Jul 2013

get out of the airport terminal. I imagine he has had enough of living there.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
37. There is fact mention in one of the news links above
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:46 AM
Jul 2013

that he is quite comfortable in the accommodation he's got at the airport transit hotel. I guess he might be bored though.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
27. The only place logistics will let him reach at this point.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:20 AM
Jul 2013

Will Russia screw the pooch relations-wise and allow this?

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
48. I dont think they will.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 12:29 PM
Jul 2013

If he was asking for permanent asylum maybe because they offered him it if he would shut up but now hes just trying to use them until he can get out of the country to some other country where he would be free to run his mouth again thus negating the whole "STFU" aspect of the deal Russia offered him really.

 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
29. Until the release of Edward #Snowden's statement press reportage should be treated with caution.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:21 AM
Jul 2013

WikiLeaks ?@wikileaks 15m

Until the release of Edward #Snowden's statement press reportage should be treated with caution.

Beacool

(30,244 posts)
31. What, he's not enjoying his stay at the airport?
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:24 AM
Jul 2013

Let's see how he enjoys "free" Russia. Maybe he should go and talk to the girls from Pussy Riot.

former9thward

(31,802 posts)
42. Bitter much?
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 11:36 AM
Jul 2013

He isn't going to be rotting in a U.S. prison despite your wishes. Don't worry, there are other Snowdens out there. Maybe you will get to see one of them thrown into a U.S. gulag

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
49. So you must think it was ok Scooter Libby was given a get out jail card, right?
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 12:32 PM
Jul 2013

I mean he revealed classified information so if you support Snowden revealing to China classified information you must support Libby it stands to reason.

former9thward

(31,802 posts)
51. Accuracy is so hard to find on the internet.
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 12:49 PM
Jul 2013

Libby was sentenced to jail for lying to a FBI agent -- not for revealing classified information. Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation found that Richard Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State under Colin Powell, had released the Plame information. He had told Powell immediately after he had did it. He was not indicted.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
57. Convicted "only" for lying yes however he did reveal Plames name
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 07:00 PM
Jul 2013

and that was classified so was it ok he got off so lightly? I personally dont believe it was ok.

JI7

(89,174 posts)
54. he doesn't give a shit , it's all about HIM HIM HIM
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 05:40 PM
Jul 2013

showing himself to be the hypocrite now.

i guess he can hope rand paul becomes president so he can come back and get his pardon.

Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts)
35. this is probably the safest and most practical thing for him to do
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 10:32 AM
Jul 2013

the sacrifice he has made on freedom's sacred alter unfortunately for him means sacrificing his own freedom so the rest of us might be free.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
50. Ohhh, so now revealing to China that the US had managed to penetrate computers in China
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 12:36 PM
Jul 2013

is a sacrifice he has made on freedom's sacred altar.

 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
40. Statement by Edward Snowden to human rights groups at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 11:25 AM
Jul 2013

Statement by Edward Snowden to human rights groups at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport
http://wikileaks.org/Statement-by-Edward-Snowden-to.html

Friday July 12, 15:00 UTC

Edward Joseph Snowden delivered a statement to human rights organizations and individuals at Sheremetyevo airport at 5pm Moscow time today, Friday 12th July. The meeting lasted 45 minutes. The human rights organizations included Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and were given the opportunity afterwards to ask Mr Snowden questions. The Human Rights Watch representative used this opportunity to tell Mr Snowden that on her way to the airport she had received a call from the US Ambassador to Russia, who asked her to relay to Mr Snowden that the US Government does not categorise Mr Snowden as a whistleblower and that he has broken United States law. This further proves the United States Government’s persecution of Mr Snowden and therefore that his right to seek and accept asylum should be upheld. Seated to the left of Mr. Snowden was Sarah Harrison, a legal advisor in this matter from WikiLeaks and to Mr. Snowden’s right, a translator.

Transcript of Edward Joseph Snowden statement, given at 5pm Moscow time on Friday 12th July 2013. (Transcript corrected to delivery)

Hello. My name is Ed Snowden. A little over one month ago, I had family, a home in paradise, and I lived in great comfort. I also had the capability without any warrant to search for, seize, and read your communications. Anyone’s communications at any time. That is the power to change people’s fates.

It is also a serious violation of the law. The 4th and 5th Amendments to the Constitution of my country, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and numerous statutes and treaties forbid such systems of massive, pervasive surveillance. While the US Constitution marks these programs as illegal, my government argues that secret court rulings, which the world is not permitted to see, somehow legitimize an illegal affair. These rulings simply corrupt the most basic notion of justice – that it must be seen to be done. The immoral cannot be made moral through the use of secret law.

I believe in the principle declared at Nuremberg in 1945: "Individuals have international duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience. Therefore individual citizens have the duty to violate domestic laws to prevent crimes against peace and humanity from occurring."

Accordingly, I did what I believed right and began a campaign to correct this wrongdoing. I did not seek to enrich myself. I did not seek to sell US secrets. I did not partner with any foreign government to guarantee my safety. Instead, I took what I knew to the public, so what affects all of us can be discussed by all of us in the light of day, and I asked the world for justice.

That moral decision to tell the public about spying that affects all of us has been costly, but it was the right thing to do and I have no regrets.

Since that time, the government and intelligence services of the United States of America have attempted to make an example of me, a warning to all others who might speak out as I have. I have been made stateless and hounded for my act of political expression. The United States Government has placed me on no-fly lists. It demanded Hong Kong return me outside of the framework of its laws, in direct violation of the principle of non-refoulement – the Law of Nations. It has threatened with sanctions countries who would stand up for my human rights and the UN asylum system. It has even taken the unprecedented step of ordering military allies to ground a Latin American president’s plane in search for a political refugee. These dangerous escalations represent a threat not just to the dignity of Latin America, but to the basic rights shared by every person, every nation, to live free from persecution, and to seek and enjoy asylum.

Yet even in the face of this historically disproportionate aggression, countries around the world have offered support and asylum. These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations carried out by the powerful rather than the powerless. By refusing to compromise their principles in the face of intimidation, they have earned the respect of the world. It is my intention to travel to each of these countries to extend my personal thanks to their people and leaders.

I announce today my formal acceptance of all offers of support or asylum I have been extended and all others that may be offered in the future. With, for example, the grant of asylum provided by Venezuela’s President Maduro, my asylee status is now formal, and no state has a basis by which to limit or interfere with my right to enjoy that asylum. As we have seen, however, some governments in Western European and North American states have demonstrated a willingness to act outside the law, and this behavior persists today. This unlawful threat makes it impossible for me to travel to Latin America and enjoy the asylum granted there in accordance with our shared rights.

This willingness by powerful states to act extra-legally represents a threat to all of us, and must not be allowed to succeed. Accordingly, I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage from the relevant nations in securing my travel to Latin America, as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law and my legal travel is permitted. I will be submitting my request to Russia today, and hope it will be accepted favorably.

If you have any questions, I will answer what I can.

Thank you.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
41. The US will not have to worry about extradition of Snowden for he will be spied and they will not
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 11:36 AM
Jul 2013

allow him to continue with the spy and lie life he has lived in the US. He will soon learn what liberties are all about.

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