Snowden became one of the world’s most wanted men when he leaked information about the extent of the surveillance power of the NSA.

After his passport was revoked and a warrant for his arrest was issued, he sought refuge in Russia. But now, Snowden hopes to leave his icy keep for greener pastures – in Glasgow.

A group of students at the University of Glasgow said he agreed to stand as rector and his candidacy is an:

opportunity to show our gratitude to a brave whistleblower, and thus all to other whistleblowers who take risks to reveal the criminality and corruption of powerful groups in the intelligence services and other arms of government, media, police, parliament and military.

His candidacy was announced today as nominations for the position closed. PhD student Chris Cassells said:

We got in touch through his lawyers and have been communicating through them, and he has agreed to take part and was happy to support what we’re doing. Our position is that voting for Edward Snowden first of all shows support for his plight at the moment and it also sends a message to governments that the intrusive practices of state security are not acceptable and are not something the students of the university agree with.

A rector traditionally takes on student issues and presents them to senior management at the university. However, previous Glasgow University rectors have been elected despite being unable to actually to get to Glasgow to fulfil the practical role of the job.

Mr Cassells said explained further that:

The university has a long history of electing political rectors like Winnie Mandela or Israeli whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, so this campaign is along similar lines to that.

[Source : The Scotland Herald]