“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals”

“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” is a saying that has been printed on many images. Authorship is unknown.
   
“When exposing a crime is treated as a crime, then you are ruled by criminals” was posted on Twitter by Michæl Starkey on July 11, 2013. “When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are ruled by criminals” was posted on Twitter by رزان اليوسف on July 18, 2013. “‘When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are ruled by criminals.’ http://i.imgur.com/Yd5WIOR.jpg” was posted on Twitter by Samsa Samsara on July 22, 2013.
   
“‘When exposing a crime is treated as a crime, you are ruled by criminals’ - From a blog about Snowden. #unknown” was posted on Twitter by CAMERO on July 22, 2013. The saying is often credited to American whistleblower Edward Snowden, but Snowden’s quotations have been widely reported in the media and this one does not appear in any direct citation.
   
   
Wikipedia: Edward Snowden
Edward Joseph Snowden (born June 21, 1983) is an American whistleblower who copied and leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013 when he was a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee and subcontractor. His disclosures revealed numerous global surveillance programs, many run by the NSA and the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance with the cooperation of telecommunication companies and European governments, and prompted a cultural discussion about national security and individual privacy.
     
Twitter
Michæl Starkey
@michaelstarkey
When exposing a crime is treated as a crime, then you are ruled by criminals.
4:57 PM · Jul 11, 2013·Twitter for iPad
   
Twitter
رزان اليوسف
@razyusuf
“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are ruled by criminals”
7:09 AM · Jul 18, 2013·Twitter for Android
   
Twitter
malina lobel-karimi
@MalinaLK
#UniteBlue “When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are ruled by criminals.”
4:38 AM · Jul 21, 2013·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter
CAMERO⭕🅝
@BlueFielder
“When exposing a crime is treated as a crime, you are ruled by criminals” - From a blog about Snowden. #unknown
11:21 AM · Jul 22, 2013·Janetter for Mac
   
Twitter
Samsa Samsara
@Herr_Samsa
“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are ruled by criminals.” http://i.imgur.com/Yd5WIOR.jpg
1:25 PM · Jul 22, 2013·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter
Samurai_Lucy
@Samurai___Lucy
“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are ruled by criminals” - Edward #Snowden
4:41 PM · Oct 15, 2015·TweetDeck
 
Twitter
Yasmin
@Yasthetwit
“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals”. ~ Edward Snowden
5:39 PM · Jan 1, 2021·Twitter for iPad