Edward Snowden, the United States has leaked U.S. top-secret surveillance program details, technically free to leave at any time Chinese domination of the city, a local lawyer said Wednesday, but the former CIA employee said he would stay.
Snowden has not been indicted by the U.S. government, nor is it the subject of his extradition requests. If Washington requested his extradition, which will be in court.
"My intention is to ask the Hong Kong people's courts and people to decide my fate," Snowden said in an interview, the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong's leading English-language newspaper. "I have no reason to doubt your system.
"I am not here to hide the justice, I am here to reveal the crime."
The newspaper said that he was in Hong Kong, but in a secret location. This is the first time there has been hiding Snowdon because of his explosive revelation last week of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to monitor the scheduled time.
However, who worked in the city attorney handling extradition cases Kevin Egan, said Snowden's best option may be to get rid of quickly.
"If I were him, I'd leave here, go to the jurisdiction of sympathy as soon as possible, certainly before the U.S. request to extradite him," Egan told Reuters reporters.
"The attitude of the judiciary in here seems to be that if Uncle Sam wants you," Uncle Sam "will let you."
In this case, the biggest unknown is China. Although it has a certain autonomy, Hong Kong and China Beijing final answer may exercise its right to veto any of the local court's decision, if the opportunity arises.
So far, there is no indication that Hong Kong law enforcement methods or question any move Snowdon.
Hong Kong Security Bureau refused to comment on the case, and the Hong Kong government has said it will generally act within the law. The Chinese government has not yet comment on the case.
"In the strict legal sense, he was free to go, but government agencies can always find an excuse to delay or stop him, said:" Jonathan Acton bonds, high-profile lawyers in Hong Kong extradition case processing.
U.S. Department of Justice criminal investigation is in the initial stages of enlightenment, the government official in Washington said.
Snowdon is the key to the fate of any charges against him specific nature, if and when they bring. It then depends on whether the laws of Hong Kong, he was also charged with a criminal offense, the authorities can not arrest or take no legal action against him.
"If they can not find the equivalent charge in Hong Kong, they can not extradite him, said:" The lawyers and legislators Ronny Tong, who is fighting extradition in any long-term rule of law, the city could become a high-profile test to face political pressure on Beijing and Washington .
Fighting in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong law firm, said a source close to Snowden and human rights lawyer in the city to prepare for the U.S. legal fight laying charges against him may be digging his heels.
Snowden, who admitted that he disclosed confidential information about the National Security Agency's monitoring program to "The Guardian" Washington Post "newspaper, is likely to face charges, may be the next in 1917 promulgated the" Espionage Act "in the U.S. experts say.
Under Hong Kong law, espionage is possible to find an equivalent cost in accordance with its Official Secrets Ordinance. "
Legal experts say that "illegal use of computer crimes," while the crimes included in the list in Hong Kong and the extradition treaty between the United States and may be used as extradition.
Either way, you should Snowdon face a formal extradition request, he can challenge this in the courts of Hong Kong, while a claim for political asylum, which could be a protracted lawsuit could drag on for months, if not years.
Due to the political sensitivity of the case, there is a chance the United States could force China to fast-track any possible expedition requests. Range, however, affect the results of the Beijing Court extradition proceedings is limited, but it is rarely the case involving the exercise of non-Chinese nationals.
Despite China's ultimate authority on Hong Kong's financial center to maintain a high degree of autonomy, with the British common law system as a commercial and financial center, one of the pillars of its success.
"Extradition system, if it is involved, follow a strict law, court-supervised procedure," Hong Kong's famous lawyer Philip Dykes said.
Another lawyer and extradition in Hong Kong, an unnamed expert said that even fast-track proceedings by the United States and the Hong Kong Government and Snowden was arrested, he will have the right of habeas corpus - was taken to the local court demanding the release of illegal detention.
A leading London-based lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, who to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Julian Assange) in an ongoing extradition case Snowdon said, would say that he had not put lives at risk, is a political exile. But he may consider move to Hong Kong.
Speeches, Russia said it would consider granting asylum U.S., Robertson told Reuters reporters: "Snowden President will undoubtedly be safe, but I'm sorry, in Korea, you may find refuge in Russia. A more comfortable environment will be New Zealand, where he can join the anti-extradition of Kim Dotcom. "
Kim Dotcom is the founder of file-sharing site Megaupload, who is fighting extradition to the United States, facing online piracy charges.
 



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