Snowden left HK lawfully: CE
June 24, 2013
Chief Executive CY Leung said there was no legal basis to stop Edward Snowden from leaving Hong Kong, saying the case shows the city's adherence to the rule of law.
Speaking to the media today, Mr Leung said American Mr Snowden left Hong Kong as a normal passenger using the usual and lawful channels, for a third country yesterday, while the Government was still processing US authorities' request to issue a provisional arrest warrant for him.
“We were asking the United States government for further important information on the case. There was no legal basis to stop Mr Snowden from leaving Hong Kong.”
Noting that some in the US are unhappy about Mr Snowden’s departure, Mr Leung said both the local and international community expect Hong Kong to uphold the Basic Law, the rule of law, and to follow procedural fairness and justice.
He said the case is a good example to illustrate the 'One Country, Two Systems', 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong' and 'high degree of autonomy' principles, and shows the city upholds the rule of law, procedural fairness and justice.
Meanwhile, the Immigration Department issued a statement today clarifying that it has received no notification from the US government of Mr Snowden's passport being revoked.
