Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange urged the New Delhi government to provide asylum to Edward Snowden who has been hiding in Hong Kong fearing extradition after leaking information about American National Security Agency's cyber stalking of U.S. citizens.
Julian Assange, who has been holed up in London's Ecuadorian Embassy since 2011, urged the Indian government to offer asylum to Snowden. He said, "It was because of Snowden that India came to know how US was snooping on them. It is an obligation for India to protect Snowden. India is a super power and does not have to fear other nations. Now is the time for India to show it stands up for human rights," reports The Times Of India.
Julian, who is currently charged with several counts of 'sexual offence' in Sweden, also expressed his disappointment that India didn't give him asylum.
"I was disappointed and saddened that India, known for upholding human rights, never got back despite several requests by me for asylum. Indians are also great supporters of WikiLeaks. I therefore contacted the foreign office through the Indian high commissioner. I wrote to them but they never responded," said Julian Assange.
However, the Indian government Thursday hit back saying that the head of the Wikileaks never sought any asylum in its country.
"We have checked our records and we cannot find any reference to Julian Assange seeking asylum. I don't know, whether he did it through social media or what? Certainly he has not made any request that we are aware of," said top government sources in New Delhi, according to the Hindustan Times.
Julian called the NSA whistleblower "a hero" and the Wikileaks founder said that he had been in direct contact with the ex-CIA employee
"Edward Snowden is a hero who has informed the public about one of the most serious events of the decade which was the creeping formulation of a mass surveillance state," said Julian, according to the Sky News.
Saying that he and other journalists and civil liberty activists had been raising the issue of secret internet spying for a long time, Julian hailed Snowden's release of NSA's spy policy as a "clear and concrete proof presented to the public."
