Kremlin 'helped Snowden from start'

[struggle4progress]

7. Report: Snowden reached out to Russia before arrival (CBS)

August 26, 2013, 12:48 PM

MOSCOW NSA leaker Edward Snowden spent two days in the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong directly before flying to Moscow on what turned out to be an abortive attempt to reach asylum in Latin America, the respected newspaper Kommersant reported Monday, citing unidentified sources in Snowden's circle and the Russian government.

If true, this would suggest greater Russian involvement in Snowden's efforts to escape American justice than President Vladimir Putin's government has acknowledged. The newspaper also reported that Cuba was instrumental in blocking Snowden's further travels ...

Kommersant, citing a Russian government official, reported that Snowden appeared at the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong on his own initiative two days before the flight, showed his Aeroflot ticket and asked for help. Two days after Snowden landed in Moscow, Putin said that his choice of travel route and his request for Russia's help had come as a "complete surprise." This was interpreted at the time as referring to his arrival in Moscow, but Putin did not specify ...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57600107/report-snowden-reached-out-to-russia-before-arrival/