Russian officials revealed on Monday that Edward Snowden was planning to apply for asylum in 15 different countries. Now Wikileaks, the organization that is assisting the 29-year-old NSA whistleblower, has confirmed applications were sent to that number of countries: including Russia — where Snowden is currently based — Brazil, India, Germany and — most controversially — China.
Snowden was known to have made applications for asylum in Ecuador and Ireland, while his Russian paperwork was submitted late Monday evening, according to Wikileaks.
Just yesterday, the leader of Germany’s Green Party suggested Snowden should get a safe haven in Europe, after claiming that his NSA leaks have led the country’s once pro-Obama people to lose faith in the US President. It seems unlikely, though, whether a country with the global significance of Germany would step in to aid Snowden and deal a hefty blow to the US.
China is an interesting choice that is unlikely to be successful due to the controversies that surrounded Snowden’s time in Hong Kong, when he revealed a number of espionage allegations, including programs that hack Chinese mobile operators. Beijing was believed to have had input into Hong Kong’s decision to release Snowden, despite the US beginning the extradition process, and China would create a political fireball if it granted Snowden asylum.
The full 15 countries that Snowden, who had his passport revoked by the US government last week, has applied to are below. Of course, there are no guarantees that any will take him in, but it is interesting to see so many European countries on the list:
- Austria
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- China
- Cuba
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Poland
- Russia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Venezuela
Headline image via Getty Images
