Edward Snowden Loses Norway Safe Passage Case (bbc.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from BBC: Edward Snowden's bid to guarantee that he would not be extradited to the U.S. if he visited Norway has been rejected by the Norwegian supreme court. The former spy contractor filed the lawsuit in April, attempting to secure safe passage to Norway to pick up a free speech award. It had already been rejected by Oslo District court and an appeals court. Mr Snowden's lawyers have previously said if he were extradited to the U.S., it would be "a foregone conclusion" that he would be convicted and jailed. Mr Snowden has been living in Russia, out of reach of the U.S. authorities, since the leaks in 2013. He had hoped to travel to Oslo to receive the Ossietzky Prize, for "outstanding efforts for freedom of expression." The award was due to be presented earlier this month. But the Norwegian Supreme Court said it could not rule on the legality of any move to extradite Mr Snowden as the U.S. had so far made no such request.

Comments

Re: Well duh!

[AuMatar]

It's a common view among European countries that the government is the current administration, and that the legislature and courts are separate entities.

Probably under seal

[mysidia]

the Norwegian Supreme Court said it could not rule on the legality of any move to extradite Mr Snowden as the U.S. had so far made no such request.

I would speculate the request order has already been made and approved under seal that prevents the courts even learning that it exists, unless the order becomes effective, which only happens if Snowden comes into the country for the cheese (the prize) and springs the trap designed to catch him.
Naturally, since it's not effective, it hasn't been unwrapped, thus there is no way to challenge it.

Also, i'm sure the order would activate and be executed so swiftly that by the time a challenge were even initiated, Snowden would already be in the US standing before the grand jury.

Re:Probably under seal

[Njorthbiatr]

He could probably avoid this issue if he became a Russian citizen. That would give Russia an excuse to flaunt their authority at the rest of the world by granting him passage to Norway. If the US attempted to extradite him, Russia would have every reason to flex their muscles to defend one of their own.

Re:Probably under seal

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe Putin will have Steven Seagal escort Snowden

Or for fucks sake, I am living in a propaganda cartoon drawn in crayola

Re:Probably under seal

[BlueStrat]

Also, i'm sure the order would activate and be executed so swiftly that by the time a challenge were even initiated, Snowden would already be in the US standing before a firing squad.

FTFY

I doubt that the US government would allow any sort of public trial, especially not one that had a jury. Snowden publicly outed illegal & unconstitutional actions by the government against it's own citizens. They will kill him if they ever get the opportunity.

In their eyes they cannot afford to NOT kill him as that might embolden other whistle-blowers to out other illegal & unconstitutional actions of the government. They feel it is imperative to make an example of Snowden. I'm actually surprised that they haven't had him killed yet despite Russian security and/or any international repercussions resulting from assassinating someone under Russian protection.

The US is only a representative republic in outward appearance. It is actually an authoritarian oligarchical tyranny and will kill or destroy anyone or anything that gets in their way.

Trump is nothing, he's just the latest clown to fill the shoes of the current scapegoat and be a distraction.

Remember the HHGTTG entry on the President of the Galaxy;

"The President is very much a figurehead - he wields no real power whatsoever. He is apparently chosen by the government, but the qualities he is required to display are not those of leadership but those of finely judged outrage. For this reason the President is always a controversial choice, always an infuriating but fascinating character. His job is not to wield power but to draw attention away from it."

Strat

Re:Well duh!

[Rei]

I don't know the procedure in Norway, but I assume it's similar to the Swedish one.

1) A request for extradition is received.
2) The court takes up the case.
3) In the proceedings, a (nonbinding) opinion from the government is sought.
4) The court rules, on their own about the case.
5) If the court blocks the extradition, the person may not be extradited.
6) If the court approves the extradition, the government may still block the extradition.
7) If both the court and government approve, then the person must be extradited.

The courts cannot rule on a request that they have not received, and the government is not allowed to usurp the courts by making pledges on a case that the court hasn't yet ruled on.

Snowden really should get used to the fact that he's not going anywhere until his case gets resolved.