German university votes to give NSA leaker Edward Snowden an honorary doctorate

BERLIN – Academics at the University of Rostock in Germany have approved a proposal to give NSA leaker Edward Snowden an honorary doctorate.

Members of the philosophy faculty voted 20 in favor, one against and one abstention to award the title in recognition of the "outstanding academic achievement" Snowden made by exposing surveillance practices in the digital age.

Wednesday's decision can still be blocked on procedural grounds by the rector of the 600-year-old university.

Snowden enjoys strong public support in Germany, where lawmakers want to question him for a probe into the NSA's activities. On Monday, German hacking group Chaos Computer Club offered him honorary membership and a five-figure contribution to his legal costs.

Snowden, who has been charged with espionage and other offenses in the United States, is currently in Russia.