Snowden: hope of a fair trial in US 'destroyed'

Whistle-blower Edward Snowden last night accused the US government of destroying "any possibility of a fair trial" as he took questions in a live webchat organised by The Guardian newspaper.

It was only the second time Snowden had spoken since revealing himself as the man behind a series of leaks on US cybersurveillance and hacking operations.

He accused the US government of "openly declaring me guilty of treason" and saying that "the disclosure of secret, criminal, and even unconstitutional acts is an unforgivable crime".

"That's not justice, and it would be foolish to volunteer yourself to it if you can do more good outside of prison than in it," he said in reply to a question from Guardian reporter Glenn Greenwald.

He claimed not to have revealed US operations against legitimate military targets, only attacks on civilian infrastructure including hospitals and universities, which he described as "nakedly, aggressively criminal acts".

Asked why he chose to fly to Hong Kong rather than directly to Iceland, the country he claims he wants to seek asylum in, Snowden said: "There was a distinct possibility I would be interdicted en route, so I had to travel with no advance booking to a country with the cultural and legal framework to allow me to work without being immediately detained.

"Hong Kong provided that. Iceland could be pushed harder, quicker, before the public could have a chance to make their feelings known."