Chief executive Leung says Snowden departure shows Hong Kong's respect for rule of law
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Monday defended his government’s handling of the case of whistle-blower Edward Snowden after the US expressed disappointment over the city’s failure to arrest him.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Monday defended his government’s handling of the case of US whistle-blower Edward Snowden after the US expressed disappointment over the city’s failure to arrest the fugitive intelligence leaker.
On Sunday, Snowden left the city and fled to Moscow, despite Washington having requested his arrest and extradition. The Hong Kong government said the documentation supporting his extradition was incomplete.
Leung said on Monday afternoon said that there had been expressions of displeasure from some quarters in the United States over Snowden’s departure from Hong Kong. He said that his government had found no legal grounds to prevent him from leaving the city.
Edward Snowden left Hong Kong as a normal passenger using our usual and lawful channels
“Mr Edward Snowden left Hong Kong as a normal passenger using our usual and lawful channels yesterday while the Hong Kong government was processing the request of the United States government to issue a provisional warrant of arrest on Mr Snowden,” he said.
“We were asking the United States government for further important information on the case, and there was no legal basis to stop Mr Snowden from leaving Hong Kong,” Leung said.
The chief executive’s comments came after the US Department of Justice insisted US officials had fulfilled all the requirements of Washington’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong. US officials also said they were also “disappointed” by Hong Kong’s decision to let him go.
Leung said Hongkongers and the international community expected the city to uphold its own laws, procedural fairness and a high degree of autonomy, and Snowden’s case was one that showed Hong Kong did just that.