Tensions appeared to be mounting on US-Russia relations on Monday with Washington asking Moscow to return Edward Snowden and the latter reportedly taking the stand that it has no legal authority to detain and expel the fugitive whistleblower.
In a new touch of mystery about his whereabouts, Snowden failed to show up at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on Monday morning to board an Aeroflot flight to Havana he had been booked on. Reporters on board the same flight said on Twitter that Snowden was not on the plane, with his allotted seat remaining vacant. An Aeroflot representative confirmed he was not on board.
Snowden was expected to proceed to Havana and subsequently to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, where he has sought political asylum.
The US, which is clearly not relishing the international public spectacle on the issue, demanded early Monday that Moscow turn over the man. “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 National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
In support of the demand, the official spoke of the cooperation between the two countries on law enforcement matters that intensified after the Boston Marathon bombings, and pointedly mentioned about the US returning “numerous high-level criminals back to Russia at the request of the Russian government”.
Hayden was also critical of the authorities in Hong Kong and China over allowing Snowden to leave Hong Kong on Sunday, despite the US’s “legally-valid request” to arrest him pending his extradition to the US to face the charges of espionage.
“We have registered our strong objections to the authorities in Hong Kong as well as to the Chinese government through diplomatic channels and noted that such behaviour is detrimental to US-Hong Kong and US-China bilateral relations,” the NSC official said.
The Associated Press quoted Secretary of State John Kerry as saying in New Delhi that it would be “deeply troubling” if they [Russia and China] had adequate notice, and notwithstanding that, they make the decision wilfully to ignore that and not live by the standards of the law. Stressing on the importance of reciprocity, Kerry reportedly stressed that the US had transferred seven prisoners to Russia at Moscow’s request over the past two years.
Wikileaks, the anti-secrecy outfit that has been helping Snowden in his quest for asylum, had no immediate comment on the NSA leaker’s latest movements. It, however, put out a message on Twitter attacking America, commenting: “US bullying Russia for Snowden’s rendition is counterproductive. No self-respecting state would accept such unlawful demands.”
With no direct commercial flights from Moscow to Ecuador or to Venezuela, there is some speculation if Snowden could leave Moscow on a private plane.
Snowden’s options are limited, with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s lawyer Michael Rattner conceding: “You have to have a country that’s going to stand up to the United States. You’re not talking about a huge range of countries here.”
While the US has already revoked Snowden’s passport, it is simultaneously in touch through diplomatic and law enforcement channels with countries in the Western Hemisphere through which he might transit or that could serve as final destinations. “The US is advising these governments that 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 to the United States,” a State Department official said.