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Kerry warns of Snowden consequences for Russia and China Kerry warns of Snowden consequences for Russia and China
(35 minutes later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said it would be "disappointing" if Russia and China had helped US fugitive Edward Snowden evade US attempts to extradite him from Hong Kong.US Secretary of State John Kerry has said it would be "disappointing" if Russia and China had helped US fugitive Edward Snowden evade US attempts to extradite him from Hong Kong.
Speaking during a visit to India, Mr Kerry said there would inevitably be "consequences" to such a move.Speaking during a visit to India, Mr Kerry said there would inevitably be "consequences" to such a move.
Mr Snowden flew out of Hong Kong to Moscow on Sunday.Mr Snowden flew out of Hong Kong to Moscow on Sunday.
He was expected to have flown on to Cuba, but Ecuador's foreign minister has since implied he remains in Russia.He was expected to have flown on to Cuba, but Ecuador's foreign minister has since implied he remains in Russia.
Mr Snowden is wanted by the US for revealing to the media details of a secret government surveillance programme, which he obtained while working as an IT contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA).Mr Snowden is wanted by the US for revealing to the media details of a secret government surveillance programme, which he obtained while working as an IT contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA).
'At risk of persecution''At risk of persecution'
Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino said Ecuador had maintained "respectful and diplomatic contacts" with the Russian government.Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino said Ecuador had maintained "respectful and diplomatic contacts" with the Russian government.
He said Moscow could "make the decision it feels is most convenient in accordance with its laws and politics and in accordance with the international laws and norms that could be applied to this case".He said Moscow could "make the decision it feels is most convenient in accordance with its laws and politics and in accordance with the international laws and norms that could be applied to this case".
However, when asked whether he knew of Mr Snowden's current location he declined to answer.However, when asked whether he knew of Mr Snowden's current location he declined to answer.
Mr Patino confirmed that Ecuador was processing an asylum request from Mr Snowden, and read out the letter the fugitive had sent to President Rafael Correa in which he said he was "at risk of being persecuted by the US and its agents".Mr Patino confirmed that Ecuador was processing an asylum request from Mr Snowden, and read out the letter the fugitive had sent to President Rafael Correa in which he said he was "at risk of being persecuted by the US and its agents".
Defending the decision to consider Mr Snowden's request, Mr Patino said his country put human rights "above any other interest that may be discussed or any other pressure it may be subjected to" and that he would not face a fair trial at home.Defending the decision to consider Mr Snowden's request, Mr Patino said his country put human rights "above any other interest that may be discussed or any other pressure it may be subjected to" and that he would not face a fair trial at home.
He also said the US had been in contact, through its ambassador, with the government in Quito, but gave no further details.He also said the US had been in contact, through its ambassador, with the government in Quito, but gave no further details.
"We will consider the position of the US government and we will take a decision in due course in line with the [Ecuadorean]constitution, the laws, international politics and sovereignty.""We will consider the position of the US government and we will take a decision in due course in line with the [Ecuadorean]constitution, the laws, international politics and sovereignty."
The US and Ecuador have a joint extradition treaty, but it is not applicable to "crimes or offences of a political character".The US and Ecuador have a joint extradition treaty, but it is not applicable to "crimes or offences of a political character".
Meanwhile, Russia's Interfax state news agency quoted an informed source as saying Moscow was considering a US extradition request.Meanwhile, Russia's Interfax state news agency quoted an informed source as saying Moscow was considering a US extradition request.
But the source said Mr Snowden had not crossed the Russian border so could not be detained.But the source said Mr Snowden had not crossed the Russian border so could not be detained.
'Effect and impact''Effect and impact'
Mr Snowden, 30, has been charged with theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified communications intelligence.Mr Snowden, 30, has been charged with theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified communications intelligence.
He was in hiding in Hong Kong when the details first emerged, but the authorities there said he left voluntarily on Sunday, saying US extradition papers were incomplete so there was no legal reason to prevent his departure.He was in hiding in Hong Kong when the details first emerged, but the authorities there said he left voluntarily on Sunday, saying US extradition papers were incomplete so there was no legal reason to prevent his departure.
But Albert Ho, his lawyer in Hong Kong, told the BBC that a government official urged Mr Snowden to go over the weekend. Mr Ho said he believed the official was acting on the orders of the Beijing government.But Albert Ho, his lawyer in Hong Kong, told the BBC that a government official urged Mr Snowden to go over the weekend. Mr Ho said he believed the official was acting on the orders of the Beijing government.
Speaking in Delhi, during a visit to India, Mr Kerry told reporters it would "be obviously disappointing if he was wilfully allowed to board an airplane".Speaking in Delhi, during a visit to India, Mr Kerry told reporters it would "be obviously disappointing if he was wilfully allowed to board an airplane".
"As a result there would be without any question some effect and impact on the relationship and consequences.""As a result there would be without any question some effect and impact on the relationship and consequences."
The US has revoked his passport and wants Russia to hand him over before he leaves. Mr Snowden is believed to have spent the night in an airside hotel at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.The US has revoked his passport and wants Russia to hand him over before he leaves. Mr Snowden is believed to have spent the night in an airside hotel at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
Mr Kerry urged Moscow to "live by the standards of the law because that's in the interests of everybody".Mr Kerry urged Moscow to "live by the standards of the law because that's in the interests of everybody".
"In the last two years we have transferred seven prisoners to Russia that they wanted so I think reciprocity and the enforcement of the law is pretty important," he said."In the last two years we have transferred seven prisoners to Russia that they wanted so I think reciprocity and the enforcement of the law is pretty important," he said.
Reports had suggested Mr Snowden would fly to the Cuban capital, Havana, on Monday morning, before taking an onward to flight, possibly to Ecuador.Reports had suggested Mr Snowden would fly to the Cuban capital, Havana, on Monday morning, before taking an onward to flight, possibly to Ecuador.
The first plane scheduled to fly to Havana left Sheremetyevo at 14:05 Moscow time (10:05 GMT), but journalists on board said he had not been seen.The first plane scheduled to fly to Havana left Sheremetyevo at 14:05 Moscow time (10:05 GMT), but journalists on board said he had not been seen.
'Litany of lies' 'Healthy and safe'
Ecuador is already giving political asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been sheltering in its London embassy for the past year.Ecuador is already giving political asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been sheltering in its London embassy for the past year.
Wikileaks is now supporting Mr Snowden and said in a statement on Sunday that he was "bound for the Republic of Ecuador via a safe route for the purposes of asylum, and is being escorted by diplomats and legal advisers from Wikileaks".Wikileaks is now supporting Mr Snowden and said in a statement on Sunday that he was "bound for the Republic of Ecuador via a safe route for the purposes of asylum, and is being escorted by diplomats and legal advisers from Wikileaks".
On Monday Mr Assange, who is wanted for questioning in Sweden over allegations of sexual assault, said on Monday that Mr Snowden was "healthy and safe", but would not say where he was nor where he was going.On Monday Mr Assange, who is wanted for questioning in Sweden over allegations of sexual assault, said on Monday that Mr Snowden was "healthy and safe", but would not say where he was nor where he was going.
Mr Snowden left his home in Hawaii after leaking details of his work at the NSA and US surveillance tactics to the UK's Guardian newspaper and the Washington Post.Mr Snowden left his home in Hawaii after leaking details of his work at the NSA and US surveillance tactics to the UK's Guardian newspaper and the Washington Post.
His leaks have led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data under an NSA programme known as Prism.His leaks have led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data under an NSA programme known as Prism.
He has previously said had decided to speak out after observing "a continuing litany of lies" from senior officials to Congress.He has previously said had decided to speak out after observing "a continuing litany of lies" from senior officials to Congress.
Each of the charges he faces carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.Each of the charges he faces carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
Correspondents say the Obama administration is desperate to get its hands on him before he reveals any more secrets.Correspondents say the Obama administration is desperate to get its hands on him before he reveals any more secrets.
US officials have defended the practice of gathering telephone and internet data from private users around the world.US officials have defended the practice 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.