The rift over custody of Edward Snowden has escalated with Russia and China hitting back at US suggestions that their actions may be aimed at shielding the fugitive whistleblower from the reach of American law by not arresting him or turning him over.
But the mystery over Snowden’s whereabouts appeared to be clearing with Russian President Vladimir Putin confirming on Tuesday that the man wanted by Washington was still in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. He, however, made it clear Snowden won’t be extradited.
Putin, speaking to journalists in Finland, is reported to have dismissed accusations against Russia in the Snowden affair as “nonsense and rubbish”. He, however, expressed the hope that this matter would not affect business relations between the two countries.
As for his extradition, RT, the Russian television network, quoted Putin as saying that Russia did not have any extradition treaty with the US. Moreover, Snowden did not commit any crime in Russian territory, Putin noted, adding: “Snowden is a free person. The sooner he chooses his final destination, the better it is for him and Russia.”
Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V lavrov launched a strong counter-attack on Washington, questioning the “ungrounded and unacceptable” comments of US officials.
“We consider the attempts we are seeing to accuse the Russian side of violating US law as completely ungrounded and unacceptable, or nearly a conspiracy accompanied by threats against us,” lavrov told a news conference in Moscow, adding: “There are no legal grounds for this kind of behaviour from American officials towards us.”
As for Snowden’s whereabouts, lavrov commented that “he did not cross the Russian border”, perhaps alluding the fact that he, by being in the airport’s transit zone, was not technically in Russian territory. lavrov himself did not elaborate on the matter — till the issue was clarified later by Putin.
China also reacted sharply to US comments about its hand in letting Snowden escape from Hong Kong. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying: “The United States’ criticism of China’s Central Government is baseless. China absolutely cannot accept it.”
The White House had on Monday come down hard on China, saying its suspected role in allowing Snowden to leave Hong Kong despite the US request for his detention had dealt a “serious setback” to the trust-building between Washington and Beijing.
“We are just not buying that this was a technical decision by a Hong Kong immigration official. This was a deliberate choice by the Government to release a fugitive despite a valid arrest warrant,” WH spokesman Jay Carney said. Pointing out that Snowden’s passport has been revoked, Carney said that countries where Snowden might end up should hand him over in case he lands on their soil. “The US is advising these governments that Mr Snowden is wanted on felony charges and as such should not be allowed to proceed in any further international travel other than is necessary to return him here to the United States,” Carney said.
There was no further word on Snowden from Wikileaks, which has been helping Snowden with his bid for “political asylum in a democratic country”.
Julian Assange on Monday said that Snowden was “safe and healthy” and “in high spirits.”