Top human rights lawyer to defend Assange

[Turborama]

Source: AFP


(AFP) – 52 minutes ago

LONDON — High-profile human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson will represent WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in his fight against extradition from Britain to Sweden, Robertson's office said on Wednesday.

Robertson, a barrister who has dual British and Australian nationality, has appeared in some of the highest-profile freedom of speech trials in British history.

He was also among the defence team in the trial for the IRA bombing of the Brighton hotel which targeted then prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the mid-1980s.

"I do believe he is representing him," a member of staff at Robertson's Doughty Street Chambers in London told AFP.

According to his personal website, Robertson is a member of the United Nations Justice Council, having served as the first President of the Special Court in Sierra Leone.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5goyCyC-ylUS2H7XaiIh0VICkJtwg?docId=CNG.7689f22d4f93e5cf5bd9168ce338877b.311

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Geoffrey Robertson to Defend Assange

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Paola Totaro, London, Dylan Welch and Joel Gibson
December 8, 2010


=snip=

There is growing fear that this case could lead to a hand-over to US authorities in the wake of the release of hundreds of thousands of US diplomatic cables.

The Age believes that Mr Robertson, whose chambers are one of the few with a specialist in extradition proceedings with Scandinavian nations, has been in contact with Assange about his defence and met federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland about the case.

=snip=

...in Australia yesterday, Prime Minister Julia Gillard backed away from her comment of late last week that the actions of Mr Assange and WikiLeaks were ''illegal''. When asked what, under Australian law, was illegal about his actions, she was unable to nominate anything.

''The foundation stone of it is an illegal act,'' Ms Gillard said. The ''foundation stone'' was the initial theft of the cables - allegedly committed by a US army private - and not the publication by WikiLeaks.

More: http://www.smh.com.au/world/geoffrey-robertson-to-defend-assange-20101207-18oc6.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. The Australiam PM sounds like a Republicon when asked for solutions

All Republicons got is NO NO NO and FAIL for answers.

Just like the Aussie PM has no answer when asked what Assange did that broke the law...

Ptoooey on the lot of them.

[elias49]

2. Good beginning gambit. nt

[Wednesdays]

3. K&R

:kick: