An Australian lawyer says recent criticism of media reporting around a controversial court case in Nauru is just the government lashing out because it has been called out for its bad behaviour.
The government last Friday issued a statement defending the country's judicial process in the trial of the group of anti-government protesters that have become known as the 'Nauru 19'.
The group were convicted of assault and/or riot charges and are facing jail terms.
The government is accusing supporters of the Nauru 19 of contempt of court, while claiming it has never interfered in the legal process and accusing foreign media of bias and racism.
Stephen Lawrence, an Australian lawyer who has worked for the Nauru 19 in the past, says this is a typical reaction from an authoritarian government.
Nauru Parliament. Photo: CdaMVvWgS Public domain
