The British government has warned airlines around the world not to allow Edward Snowden, who leaked information on top-secret U.S. government surveillance programs, to fly to the United Kingdom.
A travel alert, dated Monday on a Home Office letterhead, said carriers should deny Snowden boarding because “the individual is highly likely to be refused entry to the U.K.”
The Associated Press saw a photograph of the document taken Friday at a Thai airport.
A British diplomat confirmed that the document was genuine and was sent out to airlines around the world.
Airlines in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore also confirmed the alert had been issued.
In London, Home Office officials refused Friday to discuss the travel alert.
The diplomat said such alerts are issued to carriers that fly into the U.K., and if any airline brings Snowden into the country, it will be liable to be fined $3,100.
He said Snowden would likely have been deemed by the Home Office to be detrimental to the “public good.”
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
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