Snowden accepts Norwegian prize via video link from Russia

A chair is pictured on stage as former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden is awarded the Bjornson prize in Molde, Norway September 5, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

COPENHAGEN - Former intelligence worker Edward Snowden has received a prize from the Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression, accepting via a live video link from Russia.

The former National Security Agency systems analyst got a standing ovation Saturday when the statuette and diploma were put on an empty chair during the award ceremony in the western Norway town of Molde.

He was given got the prize, which includes 100,000 Norwegian kroner ($12,000), "for his work on the important issue of the right of privacy."

Snowden says the United States "suffers its image, its reputation every year that it is standing against human rights."

If he leaves Russia, he could be extradited to the US, where he faces charges for having leaked details of the once-secret surveillance programs.