Finally, a sane, bold country emerges from the paranoiac ethos, seemingly unafraid of the blowback sure to come from the the U.S. government, and a few of their EU neighbors, in the coming days and weeks.
It's kinda ironic (in a good way) that in such a short time since Snowden was granted a three-year extension to his pseudo-asylum request in Moscow -- that he soon may be granted full-blown political asylum -- in a friendlier, more democratic country.
Switzerland would grant Edward Snowden asylum if he revealed the extent of espionage activities by the US government, recommendations by the Swiss Attorney General reportedly conclude.
According to Swiss newspaper Sonntags Zeitung, an official has said that Mr Snowden should be guaranteed safe entry and residency in the country, in return for his knowledge on America’s intelligence activities.
I have a distinct feeling our government is about to feel even more uncomfortable than it did back in May 2013.
The Independent (U.K.) has the story.
In the Swiss document, the question “What rules would apply if Edward Snowden is brought to Switzerland and the United States makes an extradition request?” was posed, leading officials to consider the diplomatic headache that would follow their acceptance of Mr Snowden as political refugee.
In it, four possibilities were reportedly examined, with the Attorney General stating that he would be interested in a testimony by Mr Snowden against the National Security Agency (NSA) and his full disclosure of its widespread surveillance.
Mr Snowden’s participation could be part of criminal proceedings or as part of a parliamentary inquiry, Swiss paper Le Matin says, and that extradition would be rejected if the country thinks it is being sought on political grounds or if the former assistant at the CIA faces the death penalty at home.
The Swiss Office of General's Ministry of Public Confederation (MPC) is also investigating the activities of “foreign states in Switzerland” including activities such as espionage.
Marcel Bosonnet, Snowden's Swiss lawyer is reportedly satisfied with the MPC's considerations and conclusions, stating that, “The legal requirements for safe conduct are met.” He also said Snowden is very interested in applying for asylum.
Wouldn't you be if you were stuck in Russia for over a year?