The U.S. government files charges against the NSA whistleblower and asks the Hong Kong government to detain him. June 21, 2013 4:09 PM PDT A woman walks past a banner displayed in support of former US spy Edward Snowden in Hong Kong on June 18, 2013. The 29-year-old former contractor for the National Security Agency dismissed allegations he was a traitor or a Chinese agent, and insisted he had exposed a dangerous US global surveillance network that threatens the privacy of millions. (Credit: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images) The U.S. government has quietly charged National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden with espionage, theft and conversion of government property, The Washington Post reported on Friday. In addition to filing a sealed criminal complaint, the U.S. has asked Hong Kong to detain Snowden, so he can be extradited to the U.S. for trial, unnamed U.S. officials told The Post. U.S. prosecutors have 60 days to file an indictment and have Snowden sent back to the states. Related stories British spy agency said to tap world's phone calls, e-mails North Korea calls U.S 'kingpin of human rights abuses' following NSA leaks Snowden: NSA snoops on U.S. phone calls without warrants Hong Kong has an extradition agreement with the U.S. While a few things could stand in the way of the extradition -- Snowden could embark on a lengthy legal battle with the U.S. government, or apply for asylum in Hong Kong -- the U.S. officials said Hong Kong has been cooperative in the past. But, the agreement does allow exceptions for political offenses and espionage, which includes stealing or exposing confidential information, usually falls into that category. Snowden, a former CIA employee, made headlines when he leaked details about PRISM, a NSA program that collects certain user information from Internet companies and phone service providers in an effort to track down terrorists.
The U.S. government files charges against the NSA whistleblower and asks the Hong Kong government to detain him.
A woman walks past a banner displayed in support of former US spy Edward Snowden in Hong Kong on June 18, 2013. The 29-year-old former contractor for the National Security Agency dismissed allegations he was a traitor or a Chinese agent, and insisted he had exposed a dangerous US global surveillance network that threatens the privacy of millions.
(Credit: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The U.S. government has quietly charged National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden with espionage, theft and conversion of government property, The Washington Post reported on Friday.
In addition to filing a sealed criminal complaint, the U.S. has asked Hong Kong to detain Snowden, so he can be extradited to the U.S. for trial, unnamed U.S. officials told The Post. U.S. prosecutors have 60 days to file an indictment and have Snowden sent back to the states.
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Hong Kong has an extradition agreement with the U.S. While a few things could stand in the way of the extradition -- Snowden could embark on a lengthy legal battle with the U.S. government, or apply for asylum in Hong Kong -- the U.S. officials said Hong Kong has been cooperative in the past. But, the agreement does allow exceptions for political offenses and espionage, which includes stealing or exposing confidential information, usually falls into that category.
Snowden, a former CIA employee, made headlines when he leaked details about PRISM, a NSA program that collects certain user information from Internet companies and phone service providers in an effort to track down terrorists.
