Berlin, Nov 4

Prominent opposition politicians are demanding asylum for Edward Snowden in Germany so that he can help with a probe into alleged US spying in the country.

US intelligence whistleblower Snowden should be granted asylum in return for his testimony, Bernd Riexinger, head of the Left Party, said Monday.

"There is a viable legal way to bring Snowden to Germany safely and to protect him from extradition to America," Xinhua quoted Riexinger as telling the Mitteldeutschen Zeitung newspaper.

Last week, Christian Stroebele, a lawmaker from the opposition Green Party, said Snowden was willing to help Berlin in its probe into alleged US spying in Germany, including the monitoring of mobile phone communications of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Riexinger said the majority of deputies to the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, are in favour of asylum for the former US intelligence contractor. 

"Parliament must force the federal government to give Snowden asylum and opportunity to testify," he said.

Meanwhile, Juergen Trittin, a prominent figure of the Greens, also demanded asylum for Snowden.

As receiving Snowden in Germany would be a diplomatic affront against Washington, Merkel has made no statement about the case yet. 

By:IANS