REPORT: Snowden vows to reveal new information about the US surveillance targets

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Wednesday that the US leaker Edward Snowden said that he will stay in Hong Kong and vowed to reveal new information about the US surveillance targets.          

The SCMP’s website quoted Snowden as saying that he is neither a traitor nor a hero, but instead an American.                           

In a teaser posted online before publishing the entire interview with Snowden, the SCMP posted on its website that the former agent will be revealing more ‘explosive details’ on the US surveillance targets, and mentioned that he will also be tackling his fears for his family as well as his immediate plan.                

The website also quoted the 29-year-old former CIA analyst as saying that those who consider that he made a mistake by heading to Hong Kong have misunderstood his intentions since he is not willing to hide from justice, but to reveal ‘more criminality’.                           

Earlier on Wednesday, local lawyers said that Edward Snowden, an American who has leaked details of top-secret U.S. surveillance programs is believed to be in Hong Kong, and is technically free to leave the China-ruled city at any time.                     

Snowden has not been charged by the U.S. government nor is he the subject of an extradition request. If Washington asks for his extradition, it will be decided in court, where Snowden could argue to stay, experts said.      

But his best option may be to get out quickly, if he has not already done so, one lawyer said.        

"If I were him, I'd be getting out of here and heading to a sympathetic jurisdiction as fast as possible and certainly before the United States issues a request for his extradition," said barrister Kevin Egan, who has dealt with extradition cases in the city.                                

The big unknown in this case is China. Although it has a degree of autonomy, Hong Kong ultimately answers to Beijing and China could exercise its right to veto any ruling in a local court if the opportunity arose.                     

So far, there's been no indication of any moves by Hong Kong law enforcement to approach or question Snowden, last known to have checked out of a luxury hotel in the city's Kowloon district on Monday.      

The Security Bureau declined comment, while the Hong Kong government has said generally it will act in accordance with the law. The Chinese government has not commented on the case.  

The U.S. Justice Department is in the initial stages of a criminal investigation into the revelations, officials in Washington have said.           

The key to Snowden's fate lies in the specific nature of any charges filed against him, if and when they are filed. It will then depend on whether, under Hong Kong law, he's also charged with a criminal act, without which authorities cannot arrest or take legal action against him.


REUTERS/LBCI

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