Reportedly NSA leaker Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and has finally left the Moscow airport.
RT @MarlenaCNN: #BREAKING– Snowden has left the airport. He has legal status in Russia for 1 yr under temporary political asylum #CNN
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 1, 2013
BREAKING: Edward Snowden granted 1 year temporary asylum in Russia, lawyer says, Russian news agency reports. -MM
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 1, 2013
SNOWDEN LAWYER: “I have handed him papers from Russian Immigration Service…what he needs to leave transit zone” http://t.co/PmWmt4ajv3
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) August 1, 2013
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/362906992886562816
NSA leaker Snowden has left Moscow airport for a secure location, Russian lawyer assisting him tells state TV – @Reuters
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) August 1, 2013
Edward Snowden's application for political asylum has been approved +he has left Moscow airport, Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena told CNN
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 1, 2013
President Smart Diplomacy fail.
RT @markknoller: The WH had confirmed that senior US officials were engaged in pressing Russia to send Snowden back to US.
— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) August 1, 2013
Ah, leading from behind! CBS’ Mark Knoller took to Twitter to point out a few things.
No immediate reaction from WH to report Russia has granted leaker Ed Snowden temporary asylum & he's finally left Moscow Airport.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
There's no extradition treaty between US & Russia, but WH had been pressing Kremlin to expel Snowden back to the US to face felony charges.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
The WH had confirmed that senior US officials were engaged in pressing Russia to send Snowden back to US.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
WH on record saying "it would be quite disappointing if Mr. Snowden were allowed to leave the airport," which now appears to be the case.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
Since Snowden arrived in Russia, WH argued publicly "there is a justification for Mr. Snowden’s return to the US to face criminal charges."
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
Pres Obama had said publicly he hoped Russia would send Snowden to US on grounds he "traveled there without a valid passport."
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
Heckuva job, Barry!
Pres Obama plans Sept visit to Russia for G-20 Summit, but WH has declined to say if POTUS would stop in Moscow for talks with Putin.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 1, 2013
Awkward.
As for Twitter?
Hey, does anyone know if Snowden has left the Moscow airport? I’m not really sure what with the 500 tweets about it so far.
— RBe (@RBPundit) August 1, 2013
Heh.
Twitchy will continue to monitor this story and update with further developments.
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