Edward Snowden says ready to go to prison in U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net - Edward Snowden says he's offered "many times" to go to prison in the United States as part of a deal to return from exile in Russia but is still waiting for an answer from the American government, CNN News reports.

The former National Security Agency contractor who leaked documents about top secret mass surveillance programs told the BBC in an interview he would be willing to reach a plea bargain with U.S. authorities.

"I've volunteered to go to prison with the government many times. What I won't do is I won't serve as a deterrent to people trying to do the right thing in difficult situations," Snowden said in the interview in Moscow, where he took refuge two years ago after his revelations about the scale of the NSA's snooping activities sent shock waves around the globe.

"So far, they've said they won't torture me, which is a start, I think, but we haven't gotten much further than that," he said. Asked whether he and his lawyers were actively discussing deal with the government, Snowden replied, "We're still waiting for them to call us back."

U.S. authorities have long said they would be open to a plea deal with him, but finding common ground between the two sides appears challenging. Snowden didn't say how long he had proposed to spend in prison.

Snowden told the BBC he didn't think the charges were fair.

"The Espionage Act finds anyone guilty who provides any information to the public, regardless of whether it is right or wrong," he said. "You aren't even allowed to explain to a jury what your motivations were for revealing this information. It is simply a question of 'did you reveal information?' If yes, you go to prison for the rest of your life."

He said he doesn't regret his decision to bring the hidden surveillance programs to light.