Elena Polio via flickr
The Norwegian Academy of literature and freedom of expression, having awarded the prize to former US intelligence officer Edward Snowden, expects the prize-winner will be able to come to Norway in September and personally get the reward.
According to the information portal Local, the Academy has already sent a letter to the Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and the Minister of Justice Anders Anudsen to provide the opportunity for Snowden to come to Norway to ensure that he will not be extradited to the United States. With a little luck, it could be the first time that Snowden leaves the Russian Federation, where he has been hiding since 2013.
The lawyers of one of the most respected law firms in the country Schjodt, who have consulted the representatives of the academy, said that under current law, the Norwegian authorities will not have the right to extradite Snowden to USA.
"We believe that the crime of which Snowden is accused, sent exclusively to the interests of the US government. Also by and large it should increasingly be regarded as a political crime in the legal sense, what does not give Norway the right to extradite him," - the words quoted by local media lawyer Emanuel Feinberg.
According to the director located in the Oslo Peace Research Institute Kristian Berg Harpviken, Norway is not able to provide the necessary security to the American whistleblower.
"I think that the opportunity that Snowden would come to Norway to receive the prize in 2015, is almost equal to zero. It is almost impossible to Norway cleared way to Snowden, who is accused of being a spy and a traitor by one of the closest allies of the country" – said Harpviken.
Meanwhile, White House’s spokesman Josh Ernest at a regular briefing on Monday said that Snowden should return to his homeland and be brought to justice.
Although Ernest rejected the ability of a retrial, explaining his position that "Snowden is accused of very serious crimes."
However, Ernest noted that "for those who commit such exposure, there is a mechanism that allows them to express their concerns." However, what exactly is it, Ernest did not explain.
Earlier State Department Jen Psaki spokesman urged Snowden to return home. She noted that Snowden would be happy in the US, and promised a fair trial in the case of return.
Snowden handed series of secret materials about programs surveillance of US intelligence and the UK on the Internet over the Washington Post and the Guardian in June 2013. He then flew to Hong Kong and from there to Moscow, where he spent some time in the transit area of Moscow airport. Then Russia provided Snowden temporary asylum for one year on condition that he will cease his activities against the United States. 1st August 2014, Snowden has received a three-year residence permit allowing him to travel not only in Russia but also abroad.
source: thelocal.no
According to the information portal Local, the Academy has already sent a letter to the Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and the Minister of Justice Anders Anudsen to provide the opportunity for Snowden to come to Norway to ensure that he will not be extradited to the United States. With a little luck, it could be the first time that Snowden leaves the Russian Federation, where he has been hiding since 2013.
The lawyers of one of the most respected law firms in the country Schjodt, who have consulted the representatives of the academy, said that under current law, the Norwegian authorities will not have the right to extradite Snowden to USA.
"We believe that the crime of which Snowden is accused, sent exclusively to the interests of the US government. Also by and large it should increasingly be regarded as a political crime in the legal sense, what does not give Norway the right to extradite him," - the words quoted by local media lawyer Emanuel Feinberg.
According to the director located in the Oslo Peace Research Institute Kristian Berg Harpviken, Norway is not able to provide the necessary security to the American whistleblower.
"I think that the opportunity that Snowden would come to Norway to receive the prize in 2015, is almost equal to zero. It is almost impossible to Norway cleared way to Snowden, who is accused of being a spy and a traitor by one of the closest allies of the country" – said Harpviken.
Meanwhile, White House’s spokesman Josh Ernest at a regular briefing on Monday said that Snowden should return to his homeland and be brought to justice.
Although Ernest rejected the ability of a retrial, explaining his position that "Snowden is accused of very serious crimes."
However, Ernest noted that "for those who commit such exposure, there is a mechanism that allows them to express their concerns." However, what exactly is it, Ernest did not explain.
Earlier State Department Jen Psaki spokesman urged Snowden to return home. She noted that Snowden would be happy in the US, and promised a fair trial in the case of return.
Snowden handed series of secret materials about programs surveillance of US intelligence and the UK on the Internet over the Washington Post and the Guardian in June 2013. He then flew to Hong Kong and from there to Moscow, where he spent some time in the transit area of Moscow airport. Then Russia provided Snowden temporary asylum for one year on condition that he will cease his activities against the United States. 1st August 2014, Snowden has received a three-year residence permit allowing him to travel not only in Russia but also abroad.
source: thelocal.no