WASHINGTON (AP) — The former National Security Agency contractor who disclosed information about highly classified surveillance programs has had his U.S. passport revoked, an official said Sunday.
Edward Snowden's passport was annulled before he left Hong Kong for Russia and while that could complicate his travel plans, the lack of a passport alone could not thwart his plans, the U.S. official said. If a senior official in another country or with an airline orders it, a country could overlook the withdrawn passport, the official said.
The U.S. official would only discuss the passport on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the matter.
Snowden's allies said he was heading toward Ecuador, where the foreign minister said the government had received a request for asylum.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki refused to comment on Snowden's passport specifically but said individuals facing arrest warrants could have their passport withdrawn.
"Such a revocation does not affect citizenship status. Persons wanted on felony charges, such as Mr. Snowden, should not be allowed to proceed in any further international travel other than is necessary to return him to the United States," Psaki said in a statement.