The US Justice Department has charged Edward Snowden - the fugitive ex-intelligence analyst who released details of US government surveillance operations – with espionage and theft of government property.

Snowden released secret National Security Agency documents to the Guardian newspaper before fleeing to Hong Kong in May.

Snowden chose Hong Kong as he felt it offered him a good chance of avoiding extradition; however the US is reported to be preparing an extradition request.

Snowden’s leak laid bare a vast system of electronic surveillance of online and phone information on the general public.

Snowden has been charged with "Theft of Government Property", "Unauthorized communication of National Defense Information Information" and "Willful Communication of Classified Communications Intelligence".

Each charge could land Snowden a 10 year prison sentence.