Former NSA contractor and intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has reportedly asked the Brazilian government for asylum in exchange for help regarding Brazil's much-publicized fight against foreign spying in the country, including by the United States' National Security Agency (NSA).  

Snowden, who is currently living in Russia, made the offer in an open letter to the Brazilian people on Tuesday published by the Folha de São Paulo newspaper. A translated version was then posted by David Miranda on Facebook. Miranda is the partner of former Guardian journalist Glen Greenwald, who broke numerous stories regarding the NSA's spying efforts and Snowden's leaks.

In the letter, Snowden said the is willing "to assist where it's appropriate and legal, but, unfortunately, the U.S. government has been working hard to limit my ability to do so."

"Until a country grants me permanent political asylum, the U.S. government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak out."

According to Folha, the Brazilian government rejected Snowden's informal asylum request. The Brazilian government indicated that it did not wish to spur conflict between the South American country and the United States.

Snowden's letter came a day after a federal judge ruled that some of the NSA's actions regarding data collection was unconstitutional.

Read Neon Tommy's complete coverage of the Edward Snowden scandal.  Read more about Snowden and the NSA at the New York Times, USA Today, and The Guardian.

Reach Executive Producer Colin Hale here. Follow him on Twitter.