(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Snowden receives the Bjørnson Prize for his work for privacy, and for directing a critical searchlight on states 'monitoring of their and others' inhabitants.
"Snowden does not have a passport – it has been canceled by US authorities – and therefore he cannot apply to the UDI in the usual way, only on special grounds," Nouri says. "That's why we expect Anders Anundsen to review the immigration authorities, which he has the opportunity to do."
Political. In the letter to Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) and Minister of Justice Anders Anundens (Frp), the Bjørnson Academy writes:
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson-Akademiet has contacted the renowned law firms Schjødt AS, represented by leading lawyers Cato Schiøtz and Emanuel Feinberg, and Hestenes and Dramer & Co, represented by senior lawyer Frode Sulland. We have asked for their legal assessment of the possibility of Edward Snowden coming to Molde to receive this much-deserved award.
The assessments of the above companies make it clear that there is legal reason to believe that Edward Snowden can come to Norway from his refuge in Moscow, without being extradited to the United States.
This conclusion is based on Section 5 first paragraph of the Extradition Act, which states that extradition cannot be effected by a «political offense». Although it is stated in § 5 second paragraph that if the relationship also includes «non-political offenses may be extradited for this offense if the relationship must be predominantly non-political in nature», there is a strong argument that the non-political aspect of Snowden's actions can also be considered politically founded and motivated.
US authorities have canceled Snowden's passport and he has been resident in Russia since 2013. The Immigration Act Section 8 third paragraph states that in special cases the Directorate of Immigration can exempt a foreigner from the requirement for a passport.
Service. "Snowden has said that he likes to come to Norway, provided he can be assured of not being sent to the United States, and that his personal safety is well taken care of – because the threats to him are many," says Hege Newth Nouri. She does not see any reason for Snowden to submit an application before the Norwegian authorities have responded to the letter from the Bjørnson Academy.
"If Snowden is considered a criminal and a thief, as the US regime says – yes, then he should be extradited. But if one sees the whistleblower as a political activist, as we do – even one who has done humanity a great service – then he should not be extradited at all, "underlines Nouri, who also refers to what the whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg said during a visit to Oslo last week. "Ellsberg stated that Snowden will not have the opportunity to defend himself in American law. He is given the opportunity to make a statement, and answer yes or no to whether he is guilty after the indictment or not. He will not be given the opportunity to justify his actions and choices, "Nouri claims.
