The U.S. is seeking the extradition of Edward Snowden, who is alleged to have leaked secret documents detailing National Security Agency data surveillance programs to newspapers this month, back to the United States from Hong Kong to stand trial, an administration official said on Saturday. Snowden has been charged with three different violations: theft of government property and two offenses under the espionage statutes, specifically handing over national defense information to someone without security clearance and revealing classified information about "communications intelligence," according to NBC News. Each individual charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. The charges were filed under seal in federal court in Virginia. The U.S. has filed a "provisional arrest warrant," formally asking the police in Hong Kong to arrest Snowden.
