Edward Snowden sent asylum requests to 21 countries

According to Wikileaks, whistleblower Edward Snowden has sent asylum requests to 21 countries.

07:17 03 July 2013

Edward Snowden, in his effort to avoid extradition, has sent asylum requests to 21 countries according to Wikileaks. Countries include Ireland, France, China, and Venezuela.

Snowden, who was previously confirmed to be staying at a Moscow Airport, has withdrew the application in Russia as the Kremlin had set conditions.

On Tuesday, some countries offered outright denials. Some issued reminders that Snowden needs to make it to their soil to get an answer. Snowden, who is wanted by the US on charges of leaking secrets, accused US President Barack Obama of putting pressure on the countries to which he has applied.

"The president ordered his vice president to pressure the leaders of nations from which I have requested protection to deny my asylum petitions," he is quoted by Wikileaks as saying.

"This kind of deception from a world leader is not justice, and neither is the extralegal penalty of exile. These are the old, bad tools of political aggression. Their purpose is to frighten, not me, but those who would come after me."

In recent weeks, Snowden leaked information detailing alleged U.S. spying activities across the world.