India Denies Asylum to Snowden

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong on June 6.

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong on June 6.

NEW DELHI—Edward J. Snowden, the world’s most famous homeless person, has a wish list of 19 countries where his representatives are seeking his political asylum from the United States. The list includes Cuba and Ireland, Finland and France, Russia and China, and more. And then there is India.

On Tuesday, India’s embassy in Moscow received a request for asylum on behalf of Mr. Snowden. Within hours, his plea was officially denied.

“I can confirm that earlier today our embassy in Moscow did receive a communication dated 30 June from Mr. Edward Snowden,” Syed Akbaruddin, spokesman for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said in a statementreleased in New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon. “That communication did contain a request for asylum. We have carefully examined that request. Following the examination, we have concluded that we see no reason to accede to the request.”

Mr. Snowden is now living in limbo inside Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. American officials have revoked his passport and charged him with espionage after he leaked confidential information about domestic and international surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency….

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