'My asylee status now formal': Snowden declares 'acceptance' of all offers of asylum

Source: RT

Published time: July 12, 2013 15:07
Edited time: July 12, 2013 20:18

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A picture taken at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on July 12, 2013, shows a journalist's computer screen displaying a photo of US National Security Agency (NSA) fugitive leaker Edward Snowden (C) during his today's meeting with leading Russian rights activists and lawyers at the airport (AFP Photo / Vasily Maximov)[/font]

Edward Snowden says his asylum status is now official as he accepts all offers made to him. "No state has a basis by which to limit or interfere with my right to enjoy that asylum," he said in the statement published by WikiLeaks.

“I announce today my formal acceptance of all offers of support or asylum I have been extended and all others that may be offered in the future,” Snowden stated on Friday during his meeting with rights activists and lawyers at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.

“With, for example, the grant of asylum provided by Venezuela’s President Maduro, my asylee status is now formal,” his address reads. Snowden also said that he is going to seek asylum in Russia, since he cannot fly to Latin America yet. The whistleblower is set to submit his bid on Friday and hopes “it will be accepted favorably.”

“I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage from the relevant nations in securing my travel to Latin America, as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law and my legal travel is permitted,” he told the meeting, attended by some 13 representatives of rights organizations.


Read more: http://rt.com/news/snowden-asylum-formal-status-019/