[fso301]

Hong Kong officials said Mr Snowden had left "on his own accord for a third country through a lawful and normal channel" because the US extradition request was incomplete and there was no legal basis to restrict him from departing.

Perhaps it was incomplete by design?

[Oztrich Boy]

because the US extradition request was incomplete and there was no legal basis to restrict him from departing.

Perhaps it was incomplete by design?

"Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence"