Edward Snowden INQUIRER file photo

WASHINGTON — The National Security Council says U.S. officials have contacted authorities in Hong Kong for the extradition of Edward Snowden, the former government contractor who says he leaked highly classified documents about two surveillance programs.

An NSC spokeswoman, Caitlin Hayden, confirmed comments that National Security Agency director Tom Donilon made to CBS that the request was made to Hong Kong authorities based on the criminal complaint against Snowden. The complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia on June 14 and unsealed Friday.

The 30-year-old Snowden is charged with unauthorized communication of national defense information, willful communication of classified communications intelligence information under the Espionage Act and theft of government property. Each crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on conviction.