As WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange battles extradition to Sweden and possibly the United States, a young lawyer from the South Coast is at his side.Jennifer Robinson didn't make it back home for Christmas, instead finding herself part of a legal battle to defend her besieged countryman against sexual assault allegations as well as the wrath of the most powerful nation on earth.
EDITORIAL: crossing the line on our right to knowAlways a high achiever, Ms Robinson is instructing prominent international barrister Geoffrey Robertson as they work to prevent Assange's extradition from Britain.Before the secret US documents were released in October, Ms Robinson realised Assange and WikiLeaks might need legal help, and decided her firm should get involved. She told the Mercury she had no idea at the time she would get caught up in a case at the centre of world media attention.Ms Robinson became the focus of that attention as she stood at Assange's side outside the Royal Courts of Justice when he was freed on bail.She described the response to WikiLeaks as politicians "scrambling to avoid embarrassment" because it was easier for them to accuse him of crimes than own up to corruption or spying.With a prosecution she described as "politically motivated", Ms Robinson said Assange had no chance of a fair trial in Sweden - but if he went down, then all media organisations should be concerned about their position.For the full story, see Wednesday's Illawarra Mercury newspaper.
