Edward Snowden praises EU parliament vote against US extradition

[TheIrishman]

Edward Snowden praises EU parliament vote against US extradition

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/29/edward-snowden-eu-parliament-vote-extradition

<< Edward Snowden on Thursday hailed as "extraordinary" and a "game-changer" a vote in the European parliament calling on member states to prevent his extradition to the US. The parliament voted 285-281 to pass a largely symbolic measure, a resolution that called on European Union member states to "drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties, in recognition of his status as whistleblower and international human rights defender".

Snowden has lived in exile in Russia since revealing secret US government surveillance programs in June 2013. The European parliament is a directly elected legislature with members from all 28 EU member states. Its legislative authority is limited. The resolution amounted to a request that member states reject attempts by the US to arrest and prosecute Snowden.

"This is not a blow against the US government, but an open hand extended by friends", Snowden tweeted. "It is a chance to move forward". >>

[Betwrong]

Edward Snowden praises EU parliament vote against US extradition

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/29/edward-snowden-eu-parliament-vote-extradition

<< Edward Snowden on Thursday hailed as "extraordinary" and a "game-changer" a vote in the European parliament calling on member states to prevent his extradition to the US. The parliament voted 285-281 to pass a largely symbolic measure, a resolution that called on European Union member states to "drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties, in recognition of his status as whistleblower and international human rights defender".

Snowden has lived in exile in Russia since revealing secret US government surveillance programs in June 2013. The European parliament is a directly elected legislature with members from all 28 EU member states. Its legislative authority is limited. The resolution amounted to a request that member states reject attempts by the US to arrest and prosecute Snowden.

"This is not a blow against the US government, but an open hand extended by friends", Snowden tweeted. "It is a chance to move forward". >>

Does this mean Snowden will move to Europe now? I thought the only reason he stayed in Russia was his fear of extradition to the US.

[vero]

I understand if Snowden was speaking out to protect the rights of American citizens. However the US has no obligation to other countries, so any information released about other countries he is responsible for. Snowden is a traitor and he should stand trial for those actions. Snowden took an oath and broke it

[Spendulus]

I understand if Snowden was speaking out to protect the rights of American citizens. However the US has no obligation to other countries, so any information released about other countries he is responsible for. Snowden is a traitor and he should stand trial for those actions. Snowden took an oath and broke it

Please post the oath in question.  Never mind, I'll do it.  Here it is.

    I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.


The reference document for guidance in actions is the Constitution.

Do you still want to claim Snowden is a traitor and he should stand trial for those actions. Snowden took an oath and broke it?

[Balthazar]

Snowden took an oath and broke it

Snowden took an oath to people, not to government. There is a difference.

he should stand trial for those actions.

Good luck with that.

[Spendulus]

Snowden took an oath and broke it

Snowden took an oath to people, not to government. There is a difference.

he should stand trial for those actions.

Good luck with that.

Here is the security agreement he had with the CIA, which carried over into his term with the private contractor.  Tell you what - this looks rather similar to Hillary Clinton's security agreement, doesn't it?

Snowden’s Special Project Security Agreement

    I acknowledge that I have been indoctrinated in the Project identified below and thus have received highly classified information relating to United States intelligence collection activities. I am aware that the unauthorized disclosure or negligent handling of such information could seriously affect the national defense and that the transmission or revelation of such information to unauthorized persons could subject me to prosecution under the Espionage Laws (Title 18, USCA, Sections 793 and 794).

    I have been informed that approval for access to Project information may only be granted by Project Headquarters. I have also been informed that extraordinary security measures and controls have been established to protect Project information and that access to such information is restricted to those who “must know” based upon their present position or functional use. I agree to advise appropriate authorities of any change in my position or function and will execute a Termination Secrecy Agreement upon notification that such is required.

    I realize that a briefing of this scope and depth, which identifies sponsorship, reveals codewords, and admits to the ultimate intelligence application of the Project, is given only to those individuals who have been specifically approved for the above identified Project at the highest level and that this type information may not be divulged to individuals with lesser levels of access.

    I am aware that travel to certain hazardous or denied areas of the world such as the USSR, Communist China, and Sino-Soviet satellite areas may constitute an unacceptable security risk and I agree, until formally relieved of this requirement, to request authorization from Project Headquarters prior to undertaking such travel.

    Having reviewed the above security requirements, I pledge that I will never publish or reveal, by any means, classified project information to unauthorized persons. Along with this pledge I recognize and accept the fact that I have a personal and individual responsibility for the protection of all such information in my possession no matter where generated nor how acquired and agree to abide by the security requirements and regulations established for the Project.

    I understand that no change in my employment status or relationship with the United States Government will relieve me of my obligation under this Agreement.

    I have been advised of the procedures to follow in order to determine the identity of individuals who have been approved for access to this Project, the current estimate of hazard involved in travel to a foreign area or to resolve any other question which may arise under this Agreement.

[Balthazar]

Yep. I wonder why nobody came screaming same speeches about Hillary.

[Avarosan]

This guy had everything planned out. All the powerfull americans can't even find him anywhere. He knew what the goverment was doing was wrong, and planned everything out to expose them. The goverment is in the wrong here and yet they wanna bring him to trial for opening people's eyes.

[Spendulus]

This guy had everything planned out. All the powerfull americans can't even find him anywhere. He knew what the goverment was doing was wrong, and planned everything out to expose them. The goverment is in the wrong here and yet they wanna bring him to trial for opening people's eyes.

Well, he is certainly in a different category than the typical spy or mole.

The US Government said they would not tap and record ordinary US citizen's phones, emails and conversations, and they were doing exactly that.   And, I understand, continue to do exactly that.

They lied to the American people, and would like to convict Snowden of treason for bringing the matter to our attention.  And this is at the same time that the FBI's Fast and Furious program gives assault rifles to Mexican Cartels, Hillary is letting every hacker into top secret emails on a server in her bathroom, the IRS is 900+ days stalling on a Congressional inquiry on it's targeting conservatives for audits, and NOAA is refusing to provide climate data under congressional supoena.

Certainly interesting times we are living in.

[christycalhoun]

I understand if Snowden was speaking out to protect the rights of American citizens. However the US has no obligation to other countries, so any information released about other countries he is responsible for. Snowden is a traitor and he should stand trial for those actions. Snowden took an oath and broke it

More like snowden broke his contract. In a normal free country this would be an embarrassing scandal and he would have just been fired. The US government does not like to be embarrassed and they are acting like spoiled children over it.

[Balthazar]

Certainly interesting times we are living in.

[Corealz]

I would still not risk moving to Europe if I were him. They may try to find some other unrelated charge to imprison him like Assange.

[Gronthaing]

I would still not risk moving to Europe if I were him. They may try to find some other unrelated charge to imprison him like Assange.

Or imprison and then extradite him because of the leaks anyway. The vote was symbolic. Countries in the eu can follow us orders as they always do if they want. And probably will as you say. Reminds me of how fast they forced the plane from the president of bolivia to land when they thought Snowden may be on board.

[Balthazar]

I would still not risk moving to Europe if I were him. They may try to find some other unrelated charge to imprison him like Assange.

I'd order one ticket per week or month, on the regular basis... Just to keep them busy, trying to verify all passengers of these flights.

[ldanequbain]

well.. i dont know the whole story but its good he even had allies in other countries where the enemy is his own.. sad to admit.

[Gronthaing]

well.. i dont know the whole story but its good he even had allies in other countries where the enemy is his own.. sad to admit.

That's true. But not much of an alliance. It's good that russia offered him asylum. But it's more to provoke america than because snowden is that important to them. Or because free speech is. Russia has a very bad record of freedom of the press, murdered reporters, etc. If I remember correctly they are very low in the press freedom index. Something like 150 out of 170 countries evaluated.

[Balthazar]

Russia is the only country in eastern europe, where you can so openly criticize government, president or judges without being killed/raped/jailed. You can even drop pile of shit on them in your articles, without providing any actual proof, and nothing happens after that. Just for example, there is "Echo of Moscow" radio station which is doing that during last two decades and I don't see them killed.

Russia has a very bad record of freedom of the press, murdered reporters, etc.

Yeah, record which is made by whom? Let me guess, it's not written by these people, who have even worse situation in their home?

As far I remember, last the "murdered reporters" case was resolved, guilty were imprisoned and relatives of murdered reporters agreed with this result. But nothing of this has been reported in the free, open and democratic media, of course.

If I remember correctly they are very low in the press freedom index. Something like 150 out of 170 countries evaluated.

All these "indexes" or "ratings" are worth nothing when it comes to demonizing your opponent.

[Balthazar]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoly_Kucherena

In June 2014, American film director Oliver Stone acquired rights to a screen adaptation of Kucherena's novel, Time of the Octopus, the story of fictional American whistleblower Joshua Cold. Threatened by his government and waiting for a decision on his request for Russian asylum, Cold spends three weeks in the transit area of the Moscow airport. Stone said, "Anatoly has written a 'grand inquisitor'-style Russian novel weighing the soul of his fictional whistleblower against the gravity of a '1984' tyranny that has achieved global proportions."[2] The book, first in a "psychological-political thriller trilogy," is set to be released on March 3, 2015, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. The Moscow Times reported that Kucherena said Snowden had already received a copy of the book and liked it.[3] In April 2015, WikiLeaks revealed that Oliver Stone paid $1 million for the movie rights to Kucherena's novel.[4]

I think Kucherena will worship NSA like a divine entity because they made it possible for him to get $1 million out of air

[BitHappy24]

Well, he is certainly in a different category than the typical spy or mole.

The US Government said they would not tap and record ordinary US citizen's phones, emails and conversations, and they were doing exactly that.   And, I understand, continue to do exactly that.

They lied to the American people, and would like to convict Snowden of treason for bringing the matter to our attention.  And this is at the same time that the FBI's Fast and Furious program gives assault rifles to Mexican Cartels, Hillary is letting every hacker into top secret emails on a server in her bathroom, the IRS is 900+ days stalling on a Congressional inquiry on it's targeting conservatives for audits, and NOAA is refusing to provide climate data under congressional supoena.

Certainly interesting times we are living in.

Indeed we are. If you put it like that it's all fucked up, it's fucked up either way

[BTCBinary]

If the EU rejects his request he will need to stay in Russia. Let's hope that Eu parliament accepts his request!