Confusion grows over Snowden, Venezuela offer

MOSCOW — The net of rumors and uncertainties over NSA leaker Edward Snowden deepened Tuesday when a prominent Russian lawmaker tweeted that Snowden had accepted Venezuela’s offer of political asylum, then deleted the posting a few minutes later.

It was not possible to immediately reach Alexei Pushkov, the head of the Russian parliament’s foreign affairs committee who has acted as an unofficial point-man for the Kremlin on the Snowden affair. But soon after the posting on his Twitter account disappeared, he sent another message saying his claim was based on a report from the state all-news television channel Vesti.

However, no such information could be found on Vesti’s website and no Russian news agency reported that Vesti had reported it. The TV channel could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Kremlin declined comment on Tuesday’s developments.

Snowden, who revealed details of a U.S. intelligence program to monitor Internet activity, came to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on June 23 and was believed to be headed for Cuba. But he did not board that flight and has not been seen publicly since. He is widely believed to still be in the airport’s transit zone.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said Saturday his country hadn’t yet been in contact with Snowden, who has been unable to travel further because the U.S. annulled his passport.

For Snowden to leave for South America, he would need for Venezuela to issue him travel documents and he would need to find a way to get there. The only direct commercial flight from Moscow stops in Havana, Cuba.

The Moscow-Havana flight goes over Europe and the U.S., which could cause complications. Some European countries refused to allow Bolivian President Evo Morales to fly through their airspace on his way home from Moscow last week because of suspicions that Snowden was on his plane.

The presidents of Bolivia and Nicaragua also said over the weekend that Snowden was welcome in their countries.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Boeing firefighters union members and supporters hold an informational picket at Airport Road and Kasch Park Road on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Biden weighs in on Boeing lockout of firefighters in Everett, elsewhere

On Thursday, the president expressed support for the firefighters, saying he was “concerned” Boeing had locked them out over the weekend.

Everett officer Curtis Bafus answers an elderly woman’s phone. (Screen shot from @dawid.outdoor's TikTok video)
Everett officer catches phone scammer in the act, goes viral on TikTok

Everett Police Chief John DeRousse said it was unclear when the video with 1.5 million views was taken, saying it could be “years old.”

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

A person takes photos of the aurora borealis from their deck near Howarth Park on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County residents marvel at dazzling views of northern lights

Chances are good that the aurora borealis could return for a repeat performance Saturday night.

Arlington
Motorcyclist dies, another injured in two-vehicle crash in Arlington

Detectives closed a section of 252nd St NE during the investigation Friday.

Convicted sex offender Michell Gaff is escorted into court. This photo originally appeared in The Everett Daily Herald on Aug. 15, 2000. (Justin Best / The Herald file)
The many faces of Mitchell Gaff, suspect in 1984 Everett cold case

After an unfathomable spree of sexual violence, court papers reveal Gaff’s efforts to leave those horrors behind him, in his own words.

Retired Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anita Farris smiles as she speaks to a large crowd during the swearing-in of her replacement on the bench, Judge Whitney M. Rivera, on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
One of state’s most senior judges retires from Snohomish County bench

“When I was interviewed, it was like, ‘Do you think you can work up here with all the men?’” Judge Anita Farris recalled.

A truck drives west along Casino Road past a new speed camera set up near Horizon Elementary on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
After traffic cameras went in, Everett saw 70% decrease in speeding

Everett sent out over 2,000 warnings from speed cameras near Horizon Elementary in a month. Fittingly, more cameras are on the horizon.

The Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Trans inmate says Monroe prison staff retaliated over safety concerns

Jennifer Jaylee, 48, claims after she reported her fears, she was falsely accused of a crime, then transferred to Eastern Washington.

Inside John Wightman’s room at Providence Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
In Everett hospital limbo: ‘You’re left in the dark, unless you scream’

John Wightman wants to walk again. Rehab facilities denied him. On any given day at Providence, up to 100 people are stuck in hospital beds.

Firefighters extinguish an apartment fire off Edmonds Way on Thursday May 9, 2024. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
7 displaced in Edmonds Way apartment fire

A cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday morning, fire officials said.

A mural by Gina Ribaudo at the intersection of Colby and Pacific for the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett, Washington on Thursday, May 9, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Downtown Everett mural brings wild animals, marine creatures to life

Pure chance connected artist Gina Ribaudo with the Imagine Children’s Museum. Her colorful new mural greets visitors on Colby Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.