One obvious guess would be that it's a dress rehearsal for a possible Nobel peace prize win.

It would also be a powerful statement if he could visit western countries without being arrested.

> It would also be a powerful statement

It would be powerful. It's actualy shameful that Assange and Snowden are so constrained, especially for telling the truth. Ironically, Roman Palanski plead guilty to raping a 13 year old. Later, he was detained in Switzerland but they denied a U.S. extradition request.

It's sad basic travel would send a powerful message, just because that means many assume that these constraints are a foregone conclusion.

Probably has a bit more weight if the award comes from a country other than Russia. Plus if the court lets him go, than he probably can increase his travel options generally.

The Ossietzky price is awarded by the Norwegian branch of PEN. Carl von Ossietzky was the first Nobel Peace Prize recipient who wasn't able to receive his prize in person (he was ill and imprisoned in Nazi Germany), so it's a symbolic point for them to award it in the same place Ossietzky would have received his price, i.e. in the town hall of Oslo.

TBH it'd be even more powerful if Snowden could not receive the prize: "Western Europe is now at a point not reached even under the Third Reich."