Don't know how separated the German judiciary is from its government, which seems contradictory on its position, but for Snowden to accept some sort of German judicial protection would be on hell of a gamble. Could be a great solution, but could also result in a one way ticket to the US. At least Germany has a reasonable and comparatively open political and legal system, which doesn't rely on politics and cash in the bank.

On the face of it, if the Germans did go this way, in the way suggested, I think I'd take it. But Im willing to bet nothing is quite that simple, or likely.

It's a gamble no matter what he does.

Of all Western countries, this is probably the best choice he can make.

New Zealand would have been a fair option, they have pretty anti-US sentiment historically and that has been recently fanned by the MAFIAA's raid on Mr. Dotcom's house.

They also have a very cozy intelligence relationship with the US government and, along with the UK, Canada and Australia, are in fact classed as a "2nd party partner" by the United States. [1]

[1] http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/secret-documents-n...

Agreed. NZ is one of the five eyes and relies quite heavily on the ANZUS treaty for defence.

In Snowdons case I'd avoid NZ - even if it was possible to get there without flying through psuedo-US controlled airspace.

New Zealand doesn't have an anti-US sentiment. And seriously people need to stop with this "historically X" nonsense. Diplomatic relations between countries can and do change on a dime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand–United_States_relat...

I was talking more about the average sentiment of residents, not the government's posturing.

But that's irrelevant. I'm sure most in the UK didn't like one of their own being extradited to the US for having a UK-legal link site.

It's only irrelevant if you capitulate that democracy has failed and is non-representative (ie. protests and other public action would not alter the outcome). While I am somewhat inclined to that perspective myself, it's important not to be completely defeatist, and I think New Zealand is doing relatively well in that department.

Sure, let's grant him a safe passage to our jurisdiction so he could testify in a trial. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Hus

Very funny. That was in 1414 in the Holy Roman Empire (of the German Nation). How is this related to the Federal Republic of Germany in 2013?

We've come a long way since 1414:

"After a few weeks, his opponents succeeded in imprisoning him, on the strength of a rumor that he intended to flee".

"...the person who promised 'save passage'.. was told that he could not be bound by promises to a heretic"

"Hus was not allowed an advocate for his defense"

"..he remained [in the dungeon] for 73 days, separated from his friends, chained day and night, poorly fed, and ill."

(Edit: and he was burned at the stake).

Haha. Very good play. A history lesson no bohemian will ever forget.

Oh come on, you didn't have to create a temp account for that. This is one of the reason why I am coming to hn - to learn something that goes far beyond the realm of regular discussions.

Speaking of courts, I have been wondering about another legal angle. What happens to someone that commits a crime in the transit area? What would happen if Snowden punched someone? Would they be escorted out of the transit area or do transit areas have detention centers for criminals (crimes against the local laws)? Can they be tried in court and imprisoned? Can someone commit a misdemeanor, got to jail for a small amount of time, and then be escorted to the border?

Don't know about Germany, but in the UK the government gets it's backside whupped by the legal system on a regular basis.

"Please step into the courtroom Mr. Snowden."

"That's an airplane."

"Yeah"