US spy chief Clapper defends Prism and phone surveillance

[Magda Hassan]

From Wikileaks.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMr Edward Snowden, the American whistleblower who exposed evidence of a global surveillance regime conducted by US and UK intelligence agencies, has left Hong Kong legally. He is bound for a democratic nation via a safe route for the purposes of asylum, and is being escorted by diplomats and legal advisors from WikiLeaks.
Mr Snowden requested that WikiLeaks use its legal expertise and experience to secure his safety. Once Mr Snowden arrives at his final destination his request will be formally processed.
Former Spanish Judge Mr Baltasar Garzon, legal director of Wikileaks and lawyer for Julian Assange has made the following statement:
"The WikiLeaks legal team and I are interested in preserving Mr Snowden's rights and protecting him as a person. What is being done to Mr Snowden and to Mr Julian Assange - for making or facilitating disclosures in the public interest - is an assault against the people".

I'd say there has been a lot of meetings and enquiries and decisions already made behind the scenes by several people before he took off anywhere. And I'm pretty sure Hong Kong gave him the nod in advance. I even wonder if he is on the Aeroflot plane and not already in some other place.