Exclusive: Edward Snowden Tells Brian Williams: ‘I’d Like to Go Home’

Edward Snowden, who became the most wanted fugitive in the world after he leaked government secrets and fled the country, tells Nightly News anchor Brian Williams: If I could go anywhere in the world, that place would be home.

In the exclusive interview, Snowden said amnesty or clemency would be for the public and the government to decide. He said that he sees himself as a patriot, while also revealing that he plans to ask Russia to extend his asylum.

WATCH: Brian Williams hosts live special with Snowden analysis at 11 p.m. ET

Ive from Day One said that Im doing this to serve my country, Snowden said in excerpts broadcast Wednesday on Nightly News. The extended, wide-ranging interview with Williams airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Snowden said his desire to return to his homeland is foremost in his mind. I dont think theres ever been any question that Id like to go home, he said.

But asked whether he would make a deal to return, Snowden said: My priority is not about myself. Its about making sure that these programs are reformed and that the family that I left behind, the country that I left behind can be helped by my actions.

The United States charged Snowden with theft and two counts of espionage after he revealed the breadth of National Security Agency surveillance programs, including the bulk collection of telephone and Internet data from Americans.

The interview with Williams was conducted in Moscow last week after months of preparation and is Snowdens first with a U.S. television network. Snowden maintained that the surveillance programs violated the Constitution on an enormous scale, and he said that he acted to serve his country.

Had that not happened, had the government not gone too far and overreached, we wouldnt be in a situation where whistleblowers were necessary, he said.

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Exclusive: Edward Snowden Tells Brian Williams: 'I'd Like to Go Home'