Hong Kong’s leader has defended his role in allowing a fugitive former U.S. intelligence contractor to leave the territory on Sunday despite demands by Washington for the American’s extradition.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Monday there was “no legal basis” to stop Edward Snowden from leaving the city while authorities were processing the U.S. extradition request and “asking (Washington) for further important information” on the case.

Snowden is accused of espionage for disclosing clandestine American surveillance programs.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said Sunday Washington is “disappointed” by the decision to permit Snowden to flee Hong Kong. She said the United States had submitted a “legally valid” request to Hong Kong to arrest him for purposes of extradition under a bilateral agreement.

Hayden also said Washington registered “strong objections” to Hong Kong authorities and the Chinese government and noted that such behavior is “detrimental” to U.S.-Hong Kong and U.S.-China relations.

Leung acknowledged what he called “expressions of displeasure” from some authorities in the United States.

But, he said Snowden’s departure from Hong Kong on a Russian passenger flight to Moscow is a “good example” of the territory’s adherence to the rule of law under the “one country-two systems” principle. Under that system, China grants Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy but is entitled to exercise control over matters of foreign policy. [Read More]

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Source: VOA News: Human Rights and Law