Edward Snowden leaves Hong Kong for Moscow

The NSA whistleblower flew out of Hong Kong two days after the US charged him with espionage.

Edward Snowden on the cover of the South China Morning Post. Photograph: Getty Images

Edward Snowden, who identified himself as the source of leaks about US surveillance programmes earlier this month, has left a safe house in Hong Kong and take a commercial flight to Moscow. Two days ago, the US charged him with espionage.

The Hong Kong government has confirmed that he had left of his own free will. The full statement:


The HKSAR Government has already informed the US Government of Mr Snowden's departure.


According to the South China Morning Post, Snowden took a flight to Moscow, although that is not his final destination. There is speculation that he intends to seek asylum in Ecuador or Iceland.