Edward Snowden

American former technical contractor and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, who worked as a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA) before disclosing details of a classified NSA spy program to the press. Snowden released classified material on top-secret NSA programs including the PRISM surveillance program to The Guardian and The Washington Post in June 2013.

Snowden said his disclosure of PRISM and FISA orders related to NSA data capture efforts was an effort to expose what he believes is excessive government surveillance of the American people.

On 14 June 2013, US federal prosecutors filed a sealed complaint, made public on 21 June, charging Snowden with theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information and willful communication of classified intelligence with an unauthorized person; the latter two allegations are under the Espionage Act.

On 23 June, Snowden boarded a flight to Moscow after Hong Kong authorities refused a US request to arrest him.