Edward Snowden: how the spy story of the age leaked out...

As he pulled a small black suitcase and carried a selection of laptop bags over his shoulders, no one would have paid much attention to Ed Snowden as he arrived at Hong Kong International Airport. But Snowden was not your average tourist or businessman. In all, he was carrying four computers that enabled him to gain access to some of the US government's most highly-classified secrets.

Today, just over three weeks later, he is the world's most famous spy, whistleblower and fugitive, responsible for the biggest intelligence breach in recent US history. News organisations around the globe have described him as "America's Most Wanted". Members of Congress have denounced him as a "defector" whose actions amount to treason and have demanded he be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

His supporters argue that his actions have opened up a much-needed debate on the balance between security and privacy in the modern world.

So is he whistleblower or traitor? That debate is still raging. Full story...

Related posts:

1. Chinese Internet users back Snowden, call on government to 'protect' him...
2. Guardian reporter Glenn Greenwald on Snowden and the US "terrorism" sham...
3. Glenn Greenwald: U.S. wants to destroy privacy worldwide...
4. The hunt is on for Edward Snowden...
5. Edward Snowden, NSA whistleblower comes forward...
6. Yahoo, Google, Facebook and more face fight to salvage reputations...
7. In light of PRISM, furious European politicians to fight back against US surveillance