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Whistleblower Snowden claims US blocking asylum path by waging unlawful campaign

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ANI London
Last Updated : Jul 12 2013 | 4:10 PM IST

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has reportedly claimed that US authorities are blocking his path to gain asylum offered by nations through unlawful campaigns.

Snowden in his letter addressed to Human Rights Watch official, ahead of their meeting with Moscow counterparts at Sheremetyevo airport, said that US officials are using unlawful campaigns to deny him his right to seek and enjoy political asylum under Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Sky News reports.

According to the report, in response to the recent incident of Bolivian president's plane being diverted on suspicion, Snowden said that never before have states conspired to force to the ground a sovereign president's plane to effect a search for a political refugee.

Snowden further added that this dangerous escalation represents a threat not just to the dignity of Latin America or to his personal security but to the basic right shared by every living person to live free from persecution.

The report said that Snowden in his letter said that he wanted to discuss the 'next steps forward in his situation.

A top Moscow lawyer, Genri Reznik, said that he expects Snowden wants to explore the idea of getting asylum in Russia.

Snowden has been charged with offences related to espionage for having leaked classified data related to US led secret snooping program 'Prism'.

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First Published: Jul 12 2013 | 4:00 PM IST

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