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A sociology professor in Sweden has recommended NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Daily Mail reported.

In a letter addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee and published in Swedish newspaper Västerbottens-Kuriren, Professor Stefan Svallfors nominated Snowden for his 'heroic effort at great personal cost' shedding light on the expansive cyber-spying conducted by the U.S. National Security Agency.

Because of his bravery, Snowden 'helped to make the world a little bit better and safer,' Svallfors wrote.

A nomination for Snowden would be symbolic because it shows 'that individuals can stand up for fundamental rights and freedoms.'

Svallfors compares Snowden's act to the rulings in the Nuremberg trials of 1945 because 'I was just following orders' was not held as a viable excuse for the Nazis who carried out human rights atrocities.

Svallfors also believes this will help the Peace Prize regain some of respect it lost after prematurely awarding Barack Obama the award in 2009.

'It would show its willingness to stand up in defense of civil liberties and human rights, even when such a defense [could] be viewed with disfavor by the world's dominant military power.'

But it may be too late for Snowden to receive the award this year.

Nominations for laureates must be postmarked no later than February 1 for consideration in the following December's prizes.

Between the months of March and August the advisers review the short list of candidates.

However, Svallfors' nomination should be taken seriously by the committee for next year's prize.

As a sociology professor at Umeå University, he counts as one of the 'qualified' people who can send their nominations to the committee.