German court foils bid to make Snowden testify in Berlin

Germany's top court Friday threw out an opposition bid to get whistle-blower Edward Snowden invited to testify in Berlin before a parliamentary committee inquiring into US spying activities in Germany.

Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, based in Karlsruhe, ruled that the suit filed by opposition parties was legally "inadmissible", Xinhua reported citing German television channel ARD.

It said the issue should be decided before another top court, Germany's Federal Court of Justice.

Opposite Left and Green parties wanted the inquiry panel to meet with Snowden in person in Germany. However, Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition government had voiced concern over potential damage such a meeting would do to relations with Washington.

In September, the opposition filed a suit in Karlsruhe against the government and the committee, hoping to force the government to allow Snowden to come to Berlin.

The inquiry panel had suggested interviewing Snowden via video from Moscow, where he has temporary asylum. But the former NSA contractor rejected the idea, saying he wanted to testify in Germany.