Italy: NSA is 'the largest system of oppression in history' - Edward Snowden

'The NSA (National Security Agency) is conducting the largest system of oppression in the history of mankind', declared American whistleblower Edward Snowden, whilst addressing the crowd at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Friday. Snowden was a special guest at the festival, which brings together journalists and experts from across the world, since it began in 2006. Edward Snowden was speaking alongside film director Laura Poitras whose Oscar-winning film 'Citizenfour' followed Snowden as he blew the whistle on the NSA's activities. Snowden went on to speak of the NSA's failure in stopping terrorist attacks, stating that "mass surveillance didn't stop them (the culprits) but it still cost us freedom." The whistleblower signed off urging people to act when governments cross boundaries. Edward Snowden has been in self-imposed exile in Russia following his revelations that the NSA was using various computer programmes to monitor the digital correspondence of millions of American citizens and international world-leaders. In absentia, he has been charged with espionage by the US government, and faces arrest if he were to return home.