Brazil is not planning on granting former NSA employee Edward Snowden political asylum, despite the leaker's direct appeal to the country's authorities, a Brazilian newspaper reported, citing unidentified government officials.
Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported that the country's government is not interested in what Snowden has to offer and does not intend to take him in.
In an open letter published in the same newspaper on Monday, Snowden promised to reveal new U.S. intelligence secrets to any country that agreed to grant him permanent political asylum.
Snowden praised the Brazilian government for criticizing the NSA's spying activities around the world including those aimed against the South American nation.
"I have expressed my willingness to assist where it's appropriate and legal, but, unfortunately, the U.S. government has been working hard to limit my ability to do so," Snowden said in the letter.
"Until a country grants me permanent political asylum, the U.S. government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak out," he said.
Read more about Snowden's letter here.
The White House this week ruled out the possibility of an amnesty for Snowden, a measure that would allow him to return to his native country without risking prosecution if he stopped releasing and helped secure classified information.
Snowden is currently living at an undisclosed location in Russia on a temporary one-year visa granted by authorities on Aug. 1.
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