German Magazine Says US Spied on EU | WPN World People News

A German magazine is reporting that a U.S. spy agency has bugged European Union offices and gained access to EU internal computer networks, the latest in a series of exposures of alleged U.S. spy programs.

Der Spiegel says its report was based on a classified U.S. National Security Agency document obtained from fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

The September 2010 document details how the NSA had planted microphones in EU offices in Washington, the U.N. and Brussels, and how the spy agency had infiltrated the EU computer network and accessed e-mails and documents.

The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, released a statement demanding full clarification of the story and further information from U.S. authorities. Schulz said if true, the story would have a severe impact on relations between the EU and the U.S.

Snowden fled from the U.S. to Hong Kong in May and then disclosed key documents about the surveillance programs being conducted by the secretive National Security Agency to thwart terrorism.

Earlier this month, he flew to Moscow and is believed to be staying in a transit zone at the airport while seeking asylum in Ecuador.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke to Ecuador's president about Snowden. President Rafael Correa says Biden asked him to reject Snowden's asylum request.

Earlier this month, Snowden flew to Moscow and is believed to be staying in a transit zone at the airport, while seeking asylum.

Source: Voice of America