This past Monday, whistleblower Edward Snowden received the Right Livelihood Award from the Swedish parliament for his revelations of the scale of state surveillance in the United States. RT.com reports that the award is the Swedish-based alternative to the Nobel Prize, and that Snowden accepted the award via video from Moscow, where he is currently in exile.

According to The Guardian, none of Snowden's family or supporters picked up the award in the hopes that one day Snowden might be free to travel to Sweden and accept it in person. Snowden's father, Lon Snowden, stated, "I am thankful for the support of the Right Livelihood award and the Swedish parliament. The award will remain here in expectation that some time - sooner or later - he will come to Stockholm to accept the award."

Supporters of Snowden hope that a western European country such as Sweden will grant him asylum. As of now, Snowden is wanted by the US on charges under the Espionage Act. As a result, his chances of a deal with the US justice department allowing him to return home are unlikely, and he may end up spending the rest of his life in Russia.

However, Snowden remained positive in his acceptance speech. He stated, "I hope despite all we have accomplished in the last year, we all recognize that this is only the beginning... These are things that are unlikely to change soon, but they have been worth it, all the prices we paid, all the sacrifices we made, I believe we'd do it again. I know I would do again.

This is about us, this is about our rights. This is about the kind of societies we want to live in, the kind of government we want to have, the kind of world that we want to make for the next generation. And when we talk about government, we need to think not only about the quality of the government, but also the relationship that we have with it. Are we going to be a subject of government, or will we be partner to it? There is so much more to do...and together we will achieve it."

His speech prompted a standing ovation. Although Snowden will not be receiving the customary $70,000 prize money that comes along with the award, The Guardian's Alan Rusbridger has promised that his organization will fund legal support for him.