Edward Snowden addresses the Oxford Union as part of the Sam Adams awards ceremony on 19th February 2014.ABOUT EDWARD SNOWDEN: Edward Joseph Snowden (born June 21, 1983) is an American computer specialist, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor. He came to international attention when he disclosed a large number of classified NSA documents to several media outlets. The leaked documents revealed operational details of a global surveillance apparatus run by the NSA and other members of the Five Eyes alliance, along with numerous commercial and international partners.Snowden is considered a fugitive by American authorities who in June 2013 charged him with espionage and theft of government property. In early 2014, numerous media outlets and politicians issued calls for leniency in the form ofclemency, amnesty or pardon, while others called for him to be imprisoned or killed. He lives in an undisclosed location in Russia and, according to German politician Hans-Christian Ströbele, continues to seek permanent asylum "in a 'democratic' country" such as Germany or France.