Officially he might not be a fugitive. But, Edward Snowden, the man Washington most wants to run to ground – just as soon as it gets its legal paperwork in order, has emerged from hiding in Hong Kong, insisting he wants a legal showdown with the US in the island's courts.

Despite repeated advice to the contrary, offered by local lawyers in media interviews, Snowden fixates on the notion of his 'faith in Hong Kong's rule of law'.

Mr Snowden, who over the weekend revealed himself as the former intelligence systems administrator behind some of the most damaging leaks of classified US information, told the South China Morning Post: "I'm not here to hide from justice – I'm here to reveal criminality."

Mr Snowden told the Post: " I have had many opportunities to flee … [but] my intention is to ask the courts and the people of Hong Kong to decide my fate."