That is IMHO exaggerating a bit; yes, the arctic parts of Norway are definitely sparsely populated, but it is only a 20-minute drive or so from the Russian/Norw

That is IMHO exaggerating a bit; yes, the arctic parts of Norway are definitely sparsely populated, but it is only a 20-minute drive or so from the Russian/Norwegian border post Storskog to the airport in Kirkenes, Norway - where you can jump on a domestic flight to wherever. If flying is out for any reason, I agree it would be a more cumbersome undertaking getting down south. Then again, nothing stopping the PEN and Snowden from turning it into a PR spectacle by handing over the price at the border crossing - with Snowden in Russia and the PEN crew in Norway, bridge of spies style. Would highlight the absurdity of it all.