Norway Says ‘No’ To Snowden’s Application For Asylum

Confirming Edward Snowden's request for asylum in the country, Norwegian government Tuesday said that they will be forced to reject it under the law. In Norway one has to be in the country to request an asylum.

The Foreign Ministry of the Norwegian government received the asylum request through a fax Monday evening, according to Frode Andersen, an official at the foreign ministry.

Paal Loenseth, Norwegian State Secretary said that the application for the asylum will be rejected in accordance with the law of the nation.

"According to Norwegian law, one can't seek asylum abroad and the normal procedures stipulate that the asylum application from Edward Snowden will be rejected," said Paal Loenseth.

In an interview with the Norwegian news agency NTB, Anderson said the application was forwarded to the Justice Ministry as the foreign ministry doesn't have the authority to process the case.

Edward Snowden is currently holed up in an international airport hotel in Moscow after his escape from Hong Kong following an arrest warrant issued by U.S. government on charges of espionage and theft of government property.

The former CIA analyst earlier said that he leaked the U.S. surveillance programs in a bid to protect the private rights of the people.

He disclosed the list of countries that he had requested for asylum, Monday evening.

The list includes India, China, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela, according to the Sky News.