This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23012317
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
NSA leaks: US charges Edward Snowden with spying | NSA leaks: US charges Edward Snowden with spying |
(about 2 hours 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 was 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. | 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. |
Mr Snowden's whereabouts are unknown since he left his hotel on 10 June, after going public about his responsibility for the leaks. | |
Hong Kong police have declined to comment on a local newspaper report that he is staying in a police safe house. | Hong Kong police have declined to comment on a local newspaper report that he is staying in a police safe house. |
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. |
Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed the charges. | 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." | "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. | 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. |
Beijing influence | |
Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, has a high degree of autonomy from Beijing and signed an extradition treaty with the US in 1998. | |
The debate in Hong Kong over whether Mr Snowden should be handed over to the US continues. Legislator Leung Kwok-hung said Beijing should tell the authorities to protect Mr Snowden from extradition and the people of the territory should "take to the streets" to shelter him. | |
Beijing is allowed to exert its influence in foreign policy matters, says the BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong, but it cannot order officials to deviate from the law. | |
Beijing is highly unlikely to intercede in what is likely to be the early stages of a long legal battle, our correspondent adds. | |
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. | 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 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. |
In another development, the Guardian newspaper has reported that the UK is tapping fibre-optic cables and gathering large quantities of data. | |
The Guardian says its report is based on more documents released by Mr Snowden and leaked from the UK's electronic eavesdropping agency, GCHQ. | |
Data from global communications, including internet and phone use, was stored for up to 30 days to be analysed the papers says. |