Would return to US with guarantee of fair trial: Snowden

The former National Security Agency contractor in 2013 leaked details of a secret government eavesdropping programme and left the country.

Published - February 21, 2016 11:28 am IST - Manchester (US)

Speaking via Skype from Russia, Edward Snowden tells an audience of supporters in New Hampshire that he is willing to be extradited to the United States if the federal government could guarantee he would get a fair trial.

The former National Security Agency contractor in 2013 leaked details of a secret government eavesdropping programme and left the country. He faces U.S. charges that could land him in prison for up to 30 years.

Mr. Snowden spoke on Saturday at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, heavily attended by libertarians. He has previously spoken of making offers to the government to return home and even go to jail.

On Saturday he said he asked for a guarantee of a fair trial where he can make “a public interest defence” then have jurors decide his case.

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