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NSA leaks: US 'to charge Edward Snowden with spying' NSA leaks: US 'to charge Edward Snowden with spying'
(35 minutes later)
US prosecutors have filed a sealed criminal complaint against a fugitive former intelligence analyst who leaked details of a secret internet surveillance operations, US media say.US prosecutors have filed a sealed criminal complaint against a fugitive former intelligence analyst who leaked details of a secret internet surveillance operations, US media say.
The Washington Post says former National Security Agency (NSA) analyst Edward Snowden is being charged with espionage and theft.The Washington Post says former National Security Agency (NSA) analyst Edward Snowden is being charged with espionage and theft.
It says the US has asked Hong Kong to detain Mr Snowden if he is still there.It says the US has asked Hong Kong to detain Mr Snowden if he is still there.
The former NSA contractor fled to Hong Kong shortly before the scandal broke.The former NSA contractor fled to Hong Kong shortly before the scandal broke.
His leaks revealed that US agencies had systematically gathered vast amounts of phone and web data.His leaks revealed that US agencies had systematically gathered vast amounts of phone and web data.
The Washington Post, citing US government officials, said that a sealed criminal complaint had been lodged with a federal court in an eastern district of Virginia and a provisional arrest warrant had been issued.The Washington Post, citing US government officials, said that a sealed criminal complaint had been lodged with a federal court in an eastern district of Virginia and a provisional arrest warrant had been issued.
Mr Snowden was charged with espionage, theft and "conversion of government property", according to the report. Mr Snowden, 30, was charged with espionage, theft and "conversion of government property", according to the report.
Earlier this week, the head of the NSA told Congress that surveillance programmes leaked by Edward Snowden had helped to thwart terror attacks. A US justice department official confirmed to the Associated Press news agency that a sealed criminal complaint had been filed against Mr Snowden but declined to specify the charges.
Mr Snowden has also alleged that US intelligence had been hacking into Chinese computer networks.
He said he had decided to speak out after observing "a continuing litany of lies" from senior officials to Congress.
The leaks have been a severe embarrassment for President Barack Obama's administration.
US officials have since launched a robust defence of the practice by US intelligence agencies of gathering huge amounts of telephone and internet data from private users around the world.
Earlier this week, the head of the NSA told Congress that surveillance programmes leaked by Mr Snowden had helped to thwart terror attacks.
Army General Keith Alexander told the House intelligence committee the surveillance operations were critical.Army General Keith Alexander told the House intelligence committee the surveillance operations were critical.