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NSA leaks: US charges Edward Snowden with spying NSA leaks: US charges Edward Snowden with spying
(about 1 hour later)
The US justice department has filed criminal charges against a fugitive ex-intelligence analyst who leaked details of a secret surveillance operation.The US justice department has filed criminal charges against a fugitive ex-intelligence analyst who leaked details of a secret surveillance operation.
The charges against ex-National Security Agency (NSA) analyst Edward Snowden include espionage and theft of government property.The charges against ex-National Security Agency (NSA) analyst Edward Snowden include espionage and theft of government property.
In May, Mr Snowden fled to Hong Kong after leaking details of a programme to monitor phone and internet data.In May, Mr Snowden fled to Hong Kong after leaking details of a programme to monitor phone and internet data.
The US is also reported to be preparing an extradition request.The US is also reported to be preparing an extradition request.
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 criminal complaint has been lodged with a federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia and a provisional arrest warrant had been issued, court documents show. The criminal complaint was lodged with a federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia and a provisional arrest warrant had been issued, court documents show.
Mr Snowden was charged with "Theft of Government Property", "Unauthorized communication of National Defense Information Information" and "Willful Communication of Classified Communications Intelligence".Mr Snowden was charged with "Theft of Government Property", "Unauthorized communication of National Defense Information Information" and "Willful Communication of Classified Communications Intelligence".
Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. The complaint is dated 14 June although it was made only public on Friday.
The BBC's Katy Watson in Washington says the move shows how seriously the US administration is taking the issue.The BBC's Katy Watson in Washington says the move shows how seriously the US administration is taking the issue.
Mr Snowden's leaks led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data under an NSA programme known as Prism. Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed the charges.
"I've always thought this was a treasonous act,'' he said in a statement. "I hope Hong Kong's government will take him into custody and extradite him to the US."
Correspondents say that although the US and Hong Kong co-operate on law enforcement matters, Mr Snowden's appeal rights could drag out any extradition proceedings.
The leaks led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data under an NSA programme known as Prism.
Mr Snowden has also alleged that US intelligence had been hacking into Chinese computer networks.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.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.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 telephone and internet data from private users around the world.US officials have since launched a robust defence of the practice by US intelligence agencies of gathering telephone and internet data from private users around the world.
They say Prism cannot be used to intentionally target any Americans or anyone in the US, and that it is supervised by judges.They say Prism cannot be used to intentionally target any Americans or anyone in the US, and that it is supervised by judges.
Earlier this week the head of the NSA, Gen Keith Alexander, told Congress that it had helped to thwart terror attacks.Earlier this week the head of the NSA, Gen Keith Alexander, told Congress that it had helped to thwart terror attacks.