Snowden denies wanting asylum in exchange for information

Edward J Snowden, former contractor with the U.S. National Security Agency, says he will not accept asylum in any country in exchange for secrets, Brazilian media reported Monday.

Brazilian television broadcaster O Globo quoted a written interview with Mr Snowden as saying that he would only accept asylum offers granted solely on humanitarian grounds. If Brazil were to offer him asylum on that basis, he would accept it, he said.

Mr Snowden, who blew the whistle on U.S. surveillance practices around the world and is now in temporary asylum in Russia, faces charges from the U.S. government.