The Hong Kong lawyer for a group of refugees who sheltered former NSA contractor Edward Snowden four years ago says the southern Chinese city’s immigration department has rejected their asylum requests.
Robert Tibbo on Monday said immigration officials denied applications by the four adults and three children, in what he said is “retaliation for helping Snowden”. The applicants are from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Snowden hid in Hong Kong for two weeks in June,2013, after he leaked documents revealing extensive US government surveillance. His whereabouts were a mystery during the time.
It was not until last year that the role Tibbo and his clients played in sheltering Snowden was revealed. Tibbo said his clients will appeal the ruling. They have also applied for refugee status in Canada.