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Snowden asks rights activists to assist in securing his safe passage to Latin America

Former CIA technical analyst expressed especial gratitude to Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador

LONDON, July 12 (Itar-Tass) - Former CIA technical analyst Edward Snowden, who is currently staying in the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, has asked human rights activists in Russia and worldwide to assist him an assuring a safe passage to Latin America.

“The willingness of powerful states to act extra-legally represents a threat to all of us, and must not be allowed to succeed,” he said in an appeal to the rights groups’ members that was published by Wikileaks referring a recent incident, in which a number of European countries denied entry into their airspaces for the jet of Bolivian President Evo Morales on the suspicion that Snowden might to traveling to a Latin American exile along with the President.

“I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage […] in securing my travel to Latin America, as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law and my legal travel is permitted.”

“I will be submitting my request to Russia today, and hope it will be accepted favorably,” the statement said.

Snowden expressed especial gratitude to Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador, saying these nations have his respect “for being the first to stand against human rights violations carried out by the powerful rather than the powerless”.

“By refusing to compromise their principles in the face of intimidation, they have earned the respect of the world,” the statement said. “It is my intention to travel to each of these countries to extend my personal thanks to their people and leaders.”