Russian lawmaker Alexey Pushkov caused a major stir Tuesday morning after tweeting that National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden accepted Venezuela's asylum offer. Major newswires, including the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence-France Presse, ran with Pushkov's tweets.
But the tweet was deleted only minutes after it was sent.
Here's a Google Translate translation of Pushkov's tweet, as transcribed by Russian news agency RIA:
"As expected, Snowden has agreed to offer Maduro (Nicolas Maduro - Venezuelan President) for political asylum. Apparently, this option seemed the most reliable Snowden."
Several top news organizations also used Pushkov's message in their own tweets:
BREAKING: Lawmaker close to Kremlin tweets that Edward Snowden has accepted Venezuela's asylum offer.— The Associated Press (@AP) July 9, 2013
Edward Snowden has accepted Venezuela's offer of asylum, says senior Russian lawmaker Alexei Pushkov in Twitter post #breaking— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) July 9, 2013
#BREAKING: Edward Snowden agrees to asylum in Venezuela: top lawmaker— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) July 9, 2013
Reuters has since sent an updated tweet:
Update: tweet in which Russian lawmaker said Edward Snowden accepted Venezuela's offer of asylum no longer visible on Twitter.— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) July 9, 2013
Pushkov later claimed the Snowden news came from a Russian-language news organization:
Информация, что Сноуден принял предложение об убежище от Мадуро пришла из 18-часового выпуска "Вести 24". По всем вопросам обращаться к ним— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) July 9, 2013
Google Translation: "information that Snowden has accepted an offer of asylum from Maduro came from the 18-hour release of 'Vesti 24.' To contact them."
Как сообщили Вести 24 со ссылкой на Мадуро, Сноуден принял его предложение об убежище. Если это так, то он счел этот вариант самым надежным.— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) July 9, 2013
Google Translation: "According to News 24, with reference to Maduro, Snowden accepted his offer of asylum. If so, it is found that the safest option."
It's unclear why Pushkov deleted the tweet, though some commentators on Twitter suspect he may have received an unpleasant call from the Kremlin.
Either way, if Snowden indeed accepts an offer of asylum from Venezuela, he would first have to arrive on Venezuelan territory. That's harder than it sounds: Snowden is reportedly still holed up in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, an area that is not officially Russian territory. The United States has revoked Snowden's passport, making it difficult -- if not impossible -- to travel elsewhere. Additionally, Russia won't let him enter the country to get to Venezuela's embassy or anywhere else.
Do you think Snowden will accept Venezuela's offer of asylum? Share your thoughts in the comments.