BEIJING
The people of China and Hong Kong do not want the cyber spying ex-CIA whistle-blower Edward Snowden to get handed over to the United States.
Half of Hong Kong residents believe that cyberspying whistle-blower Edward Snowden should not be handed over if Washington makes a formal request for his extradition, according to an exclusive opinion poll commissioned by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.
"It would be a face-losing outcome for both the Hong Kong SAR government and the Chinese Central government if Snowden is extradited to the US," said China's Global Times.
"His crime is that he blew the whistle on the US government's violation of civil rights. His action supported human rights as defined in the UN Charter, and has been applauded worldwide. "
More than 20 public organizations in Hong Kong launched a demonstration last weekend, backing Snowden.
Meanwhile, Beijing reacted the allegation that was Snowden was spy of China.
The spokesman for Chinese Foreign Ministry defined the allegation as "silly."
However, the Swiss government said they were ready to launch a criminal investigation against former CIA worker Edward Snowden.
Swiss President Ueli Maurer said in an interview that the activities of foreign intelligence services have expanded in Switzerland. Maurer said that Switzerland was ready to start a criminal investigation against spy Snowden if concrete proof of his activities in the Alpine country was confirmed.
Edward Snowden shared classified material on top-secret NSA programs including the PRISM surveillance program with the Guardian and The Washington Post, both of whom published their first exposes in June 2013.
Snowden said his disclosure of PRISM and FISA orders related to NSA data capture efforts was an effort "to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them."
