Whistleblower Edward Snowden has won the Right Livelihood Award for his revelations of the scale of state surveillance, reported the Guardian.
Snowden, who is in exile in Russia, also received several standing ovations in the Swedish parliament after being given the award.
After honoured by the Swedish government, the whistleblower addressed the parliament by video from Moscow.
Speaking by video from Moscow, he said: “All the prices we’ve paid, all the sacrifices we made, I believe we would do it again-I know I would.”
In a symbolic gesture, his family and supporters said no one picked up the award on his behalf in the hope that one day he might be free to travel to Sweden to receive it in person.
His father, Lon, who was in the chamber, said: “I am thankful for the support of the Right Livelihood award and the Swedish parliament. The award will remain here in expectation that some time – sooner or later – he will come to Stockholm to accept the award.”
Philanthropist Jakob von Uexküll, who established the award in 1980, told the parliament: “So Mr Snowden, your Right Livelihood Award is waiting for you. We trust that Sweden will make it possible for you to collect your award here in Stockholm in person in the very near future.”
The awards jury, in its citation, said Snowden was being honoured “for his courage and skill in revealing the unprecedented extent of state surveillance violating basic democratic processes and constitutional rights”.
Snowden is wanted by the US on charges under the Espionage Act. His chances of a deal with the US justice department that would allow him to return home are slim and he may end up spending the rest of his days in Russia.
