Edward Snowden whereabouts are unknown

The American Edward Snowden who pleaded author of filtration on the telecommunications secret surveillance of millions of users conducted by the National Intelligence Agency (NSA) of USA, has left the hotel in Hong Kong where it was and his whereabouts are unknown. So publishes 'The Washington Post' , which together with the British 'Guardian' Snowden received filtering and reporting Monday that, as a receptionist, former CIA technician left the Mira Hotel, Hong Kong. The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into Snowden and if charges against him could claim his extradition to Hong Kong under a bilateral treaty in force. In an interview with the U.S. newspaper, Snowden revealed that it intends to seek asylum "to any country that believes in freedom of expression and oppose the overall privacy is the victim." According to CNN, there is ask to Iceland. Snowden voluntarily disclosed that he is the source of 'The Guardian' and 'The Washington Post, which reported the existence of two spyware daily for consulting in the USA call records and extracting information from servers to monitor internet giants terrorism suspects. Computer engineer and 29 years, Snowden worked for four years for the NSA as an employee of several companies awarded defense contracts, the last of which Booz Allen Hamilton, from which he had access to secret information. According to the director of U.S. national intelligence, James Clapper, the leaks made ​​by Snowden on cyber spying programs U.S.counterterrorism compromise the country . Meanwhile, Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who in 1971 leaked the "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War, has declared "impressed" by the attitude of Snowden, who in his opinion has provided "an invaluable service" to the citizens. If I had known the secrets of the NSA program "would have done exactly what (Snowden) has done", said to filter the documents that revealed the true situation of the Vietnam War and what he thought the Department of Defense on the conflict. For its part, the White House prefers not to comment. "I will say at the outset that obviously is pending an investigation and for that reason I can not discuss nor (any) individual or research, or the president's position in this regard", said spokesman Jay Carney.

Iceland in Focus

Edward Snowden wants to seek asylum in Iceland, but would have to travel there, as explained to CNN the ambassador of Iceland in China, Kristin Arnadottir. Within this process, if Snowden wants asylum in Iceland should go and apply in person , according to the sources. Another option that would have the U.S. to save time is to apply for asylum in Hong Kong, said Nicholas Bequelin Asia expert to the human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW). That way, you could stop, at least temporarily, the extradition request from the United States. However, Bequelin thought unlikely that Hong Kong will give asylum. "I think not. To do this you should try to run the risk of political persecution or torture ". Yes, one loophole in the justice system of Hong Kong could benefit: the current Special Administrative Region (SAR, for its acronym in English) of Hong Kong does not have a mechanism for the processing of asylum applications. Until now, the metropolis leaving these decisions to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but in March the Supreme Court issued a ruling that the autonomous region under the sovereignty of China has to create their own framework for applications for asylum , something that has not been done. "So he could potentially win a long time," said Bequelin. An application of this type takes precedence over the extradition request from the United States . However, so far Snowden has not sought asylum in Hong Kong.