German university rector seeks to block honorary doctorate for NSA leaker Edward Snowden

Published January 08, 2015

The rector of a German university where academics voted to award NSA leaker Edward Snowden an honorary doctorate is trying to have the decision reversed — arguing that his actions don't fulfill the required criteria.

The University of Rostock's philosophy faculty decided by a large majority last week to award Snowden the title.

But rector Wolfgang Schareck said in a statement Thursday that Snowden's leaking to media of NSA documents doesn't constitute the "special academic achievement" required by law in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for a doctorate to be granted.

Schareck says he filed a formal complaint and asked the philosophy faculty to reverse its decision. If it refuses, the state's education ministry would have to decide whether the title can be awarded.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/german-university-rector-seeks-to-block-honorary-doctorate-for-nsa-leaker-edward-snowden