Snowden asked for Russian help in Hong Kong before flying to Moscow: Sources

 

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden reportedly asked for help from the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong to reach for Latin American asylums before flying to Moscow directly.

 

Sources in Snowden's circle and the Russian government have said that the whistleblower appeared at the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong on his own initiative two days before his flight to Cuba and asked for help.

 

According to CBS News, Snowden's visit to the Russian consulate turned out to be an abortive measure as his ticket to Cuba would have allowed him to travel to countries willing to offer him asylum, including Bolivia and Venezuela but he did not board the flight to Havana and remained in limbo until being granted asylum in Russia on August 1.

 

The sources said that the Cuban government had expressed its reluctance to allow Snowden to land in Havana citing pressure from the US, while the Russian president Vladimir Putin had expressed 'complete surprise' on Snowden's choice of travel route and his request for Russia's help.

 

The report said that if these claims are found to be true, it would indicate more involvement of the Russian government in Snowden's bid to escape the US extradition than what has been conveyed in the media till now.

 

Snowden, who is wanted by the US authorities for leaking classified surveillance data, has been granted a one-year temporary asylum by Russia.