A Norwegian court has dismissed a bid by whistleblower Edward Snowden for assurances he would not be extradited should he visit Norway to collect a rights award. The PEN writers group had hoped to honor him in Oslo.
Image: Reuters/B. McDermid
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The Norwegian branch of the PEN Club has invited Snowden to Oslo on November 18 to collect the Ossietzky prize, which celebrates "outstanding efforts for freedom of expression."
But the former US intelligence contractor-turned-whistleblower who has lived in Russia since making landmark disclosures on mass surveillance in 2013 faces charges in the US of theft of state secrets and espionage that carry up to 30 years in prison.
The Borgarting Court of Appeal said it could not rule on the Snowden petition asking for guarantees as there is no formal extradition request and Snowden is not in Norway. The decision mirrored arguments made by a lower court in June.
Norway's PEN Club said it would appeal.
"Sadly, this was not entirely unexpected," chairman William Nygaard of PEN Norway told the Reuters news agency. "We will of course appeal to the supreme court."
The Ossietzky Prize is named after German journalist and pacifist Carl von Ossietzky, who won the 1936 Nobel Peace Prize for disclosing Germany's rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. He was jailed by Nazi Germany for treason and unable to attend the award ceremony in Oslo 80 years ago.
Snowden won another Norwegian freedom of speech award - the Bjornson Prize - last year. He addressed that award ceremony via video link.
Snowden has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, also awarded in Norway, for a third straight year. This year's award will be announced on October 7.
Mixed feelings about Snowden in Europe
In 2014, opposition parties in Germany launched a legal bid to force the federal government to invite Snowden to Berlin to testify before a parliamentary committee on the NSA's surveillance program - including the US spy agency listening in on Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone conversations.
Although Snowden considered making the trip, in the end he decided against it because it was unclear whether he would be arrested or extradited to the United States. Merkel's ruling coalition had also voiced concerns that such an invitation could damage relations with Washington.
In October last year, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on EU governments to protect Snowden from prosecution and extradition. However, as the resolution is non-binding, EU states are under no legal obligation to comply.
jar/kms (AFP, Reuters)
Oliver Stone reveals Snowden's human side in new film
For filmmaker Oliver Stone, whistleblower Edward Snowden is one of the most significant people of our day. His new film about the IT expert, who is still living in exile in Moscow, painstakingly recounts Snowden's story.
Image: Universum
A differentiated view of Snowden
In his new film "Snowden," Oliver Stone makes a clear effort to remain unbiased. Edward Snowden, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is anything other than a hero with a goal. On the contrary, Stone presents the future whistleblower as an ambitious IT expert who wants to climb the career ladder at the NSA.
Image: Universum
Premiere in Toronto
American director Oliver Stone turned 70 on September 15, a few days after the film's official premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. In the US, "Snowden" opened in cinemas on September 16.
Image: Reuters/F. Thornhill
From the military to intelligence
Early on, Snowden wanted to serve his country as a soldier in Iraq. During his military training, he broke both legs. It was due to this accident that the young man came into contact with the NSA and the CIA, where he quickly got attention for his strong IT talent.
Image: Universum
Snowden, the perfect student
Snowden's boss at the CIA, Corbin O'Brian (played in the film by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans) becomes a big fan of the young man's work. He takes Snowden under his wing.
Image: Universum
Behind the scenes
Gradually, Snowden begins to understand what his work at the intelligence agencies is all about: total surveillance both abroad and at home. Many computer nerds work for the CIA and the NSA. Snowden looks over their shoulders and comes to the realization that privacy has lost its sanctity.
Image: Universum
Thrilling production
Oliver Stone's "Snowden" shows how the whistleblower evolved from being an ambitious worker to a critic of the system. The film is full of exciting moments and dense scenes. Particularly memorable is the scene in which Snowden gathers top-secret data from a CIA building and smuggles it out - in a Rubik's cube.
Image: Universum
Working with the press
Stone shows Snowden's escape from the system as he flees to Asia and begins to collaborate with the journalists to whom he will ultimately release numerous secret documents. Here, Snowden is pictured handing over information to "The Guardian" journalist Ewen MacAskill, played by Tom Wilkinson.
Image: Universum
Snowden's human side
With his rousing political thriller, Oliver Stone manages to offer a very human portrayal of the whistleblower - not least due to the convincing performance of actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He is depicted as a young man who has a girlfriend and is caught between working for the good of his society and his own interests.
