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Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

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Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#61

Post by lb1lf »

portlander12345 wrote: post #36

Although technically Russia and Norway share a land border, you would have to drive thousands of miles through extremely remote arctic areas, where the major routes are single-lane roads and the nearest settlements may be hours apart. If one is worried about underhanded tactics by the US, this seems quite a dangerous way to go.

That is IMHO exaggerating a bit; yes, the arctic parts of Norway are definitely sparsely populated, but it is only a 20-minute drive or so from the Russian/Norwegian border post Storskog to the airport in Kirkenes, Norway - where you can jump on a domestic flight to wherever.

If flying is out for any reason, I agree it would be a more cumbersome undertaking getting down south.

Then again, nothing stopping the PEN and Snowden from turning it into a PR spectacle by handing over the price at the border crossing - with Snowden in Russia and the PEN crew in Norway, bridge of spies style. Would highlight the absurdity of it all.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#62

Post by neverminder »

portlander12345 wrote: post #36

Although technically Russia and Norway share a land border, you would have to drive thousands of miles through extremely remote arctic areas, where the major routes are single-lane roads and the nearest settlements may be hours apart. If one is worried about underhanded tactics by the US, this seems quite a dangerous way to go.

Actually, he could just fly to Murmansk from where there's just a few hundred kilometers to Tromso and take a plane to Oslo.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#63

Post by toyg »

rl3 wrote: post #26

Sounds like a great way to get nabbed by a CIA snatch-and-grab operation. Even if his FSB protection plans the field trip and accompanies him, it's still a huge risk. It also provides an ample opportunity for Russia to divest themselves of Snowden should they wish, making the West look bad in the process. Norway's NIS maintains a friendly relationship with U.S. intelligence.[0] NSA documents leaked by Snowden refer t…

The whole process is probably an attempt to get Norway to grant him asylum by the backdoor. I can see the rationale but I don't think I'd trust any place where the executive isn't fully committed.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#64

Post by lb1lf »

hooloovoo_zoo wrote: post #28
cat-dev-null wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's unlikely because he would obviously have security (costing a $2-3k USD for decent-sized detail). A chartered flight (light or mid-sized jet) would be around $30k USD.

Security is for stalkers; there's nothing they can do if a team of marines shows up.

A team of Marines showing up is not very likely; while most Norwegians don't care too much about Edward Snowden (Edward who?), soldiers of a foreign power executing an operation on Norwegian soil would create an outrage that would definitely topple our government. For starters.

I really can't see our (US-friendly) government allowing such an operation, knowing full well it will make them look terribly bad and in all likelihood cost them their jobs AND their reputation.

And the US deploying Marines in Norway without the government's explicit consent? That is called an invasion, and not likely to go down well, either.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#66

Post by alkonaut »

I assume Norways laws work similar to Swedens, meaning there can be no guarantees of non-extradiction (because preempting a legal decision usinga a political one is illegal, and the extradiction would be handled only when it is requested - which can only be done once he is actually in norway).

So the same thing might happen to Snowden that happened to Assange - no guarantees up front.

The best they can do in that case is make broader statements that e.g. "we do not extradite anyone who faces political charges and/or risks the death penalty". It's safe to say Snowden fits into both categories.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#68

Post by vintermann »

RijilV wrote: post #4
didbdohd wrote: post #3

Seems unlikely. He also needs assurance the flight between Russia and Norway won't be grounded or redirected on route.

Presumably he'd drive, as Norway and Russia share a border. What isn't clear to me from the article is why he'd risk it for an award from a group of writers who have branches in Russia..

The Ossietzky price is awarded by the Norwegian branch of PEN. Carl von Ossietzky was the first Nobel Peace Prize recipient who wasn't able to receive his prize in person (he was ill and imprisoned in Nazi Germany), so it's a symbolic point for them to award it in the same place Ossietzky would have received his price, i.e. in the town hall of Oslo.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#69

Post by Ueland »

rl3 wrote: post #26

Sounds like a great way to get nabbed by a CIA snatch-and-grab operation. Even if his FSB protection plans the field trip and accompanies him, it's still a huge risk. It also provides an ample opportunity for Russia to divest themselves of Snowden should they wish, making the West look bad in the process. Norway's NIS maintains a friendly relationship with U.S. intelligence.[0] NSA documents leaked by Snowden refer t…

Norway does at lot of intelligence gathering around Svalbard/North Atlantic against the russians due to the large fleet base at Murmansk. The ships used is typicly equipped in the US before entering service.

Re: Snowden Seeks Assurance from Norway It Won’t Extradite Him

#70

Post by Ueland »

dschweig wrote: post #29

Remember Anders Behring? He was sentenced for 21 years for his terrorist attack in 2011. I find it hard to believe a country that has the most humane prison system in the world would extradite Snowden back the the US...

He is de facto sentenced to life in prison. And Snowden is a US citizen and will be extradited. Unless the this case the thread is about gives him a win.
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