Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino in a tweet on Sunday confirmed that his government had received an asylum request from Edward Snowden, former U.S. intelligence contractor who leaked the National Security Agency's program of monitoring communications of the people.
"The government of Ecuador has received an asylum request from Edward Snowden", said the foreign minister on Twitter. Patino tweeted about the request from Vietnam where he is currently on an official visit.
The minister didn't further confirm whether his government was considering the asylum request or not
Edward Snowden was allowed to leave Hong Kong despite an official request by the United States for his detention.
He is believed to be on a transit flight via Moscow to a third country, according to the Russian foreign ministry.
"According to some reports, Snowden may be traveling via Moscow as a transit passenger," said the ministry's information department on Sunday, saying it was trying to verify the information.
The U.S. justice department expressed its outrage saying that it was "disappointed" that Hong Kong didn't detain the American whistleblower. However, authorities in Hong Kong said the U.S. request to arrest Snowden was incomplete and no legal basis to stop him from leaving Hong Kong.
"We find their decision to be particularly troubling," said a U.S. official, according to BBC.
After reports that Snowden had left Hong Kong and was on a transit flight via Moscow, Washington issued a general statement warning all possible governments to return him to the U.S.
"The US is advising these governments that Snowden is wanted on felony charges, and as such should not be allowed to proceed on any further international travel, other than is necessary to return him to the United States," said the state department.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely knew and approved of the American whistleblower's flight to Russia, adding this could deteriorate relationships between the two countries. Russia and the U.S. are already at odds over Syria and human rights issues.
"Putin always seems almost eager to stick a finger in the eye of the United States-whether it is Syria, Iran and now of course with Snowden," said Charles Schumer, according to the CNN.
"He also saw the hand of Beijing in Hong Kong's decision to let Snowden leave the Chinese territory despite the U.S. extradition request," said Schumer, adding Beijing government likely had asked Hong Kong to let Snowden flee.
