Amal Clooney Personally Attacked For Taking On Human Rights Case
There is no doubt that Amal Clooney is not only an intelligent and accomplished barrister, but also an incredibly brave woman for taking on some of the human rights cases she has chosen over the past year.
Most recently, Clooney has taken heat from the Azerbaijan’s government via controlled media. The attacks have involved negative comments attacking the barrister personally. These attacks come due to Amal’s involvement in a case that involves Khadija Ismayilova, a 39-year old investigative reporter. It is a case that has garnered media attention and is one more that is likely worrisome for Clooney’s actor hubby, George, who already voiced how “dangerous” he feels his wife’s job can be sometimes, as People relayed late last year.
“While tackling stories of corruption and money laundering related to construction projects in the capital, Baku, Ismayilova was warned to stop. She did not. What happened next was the release of an intimate sex tape recorded on a camera apparently illegally installed in her bedroom. Her defense team says this was an attempt to blackmail her into silence. Ismayilova was then charged with “inciting attempted suicide” in a co-worker and jailed, even though the co-worker in question testified in court that Ismayilova had nothing to do with his failed suicide attempt. She remained in detention illegally for months until the government presented new charges for unspecified ‘economic crimes,’ for which Ismayilova is currently serving seven years in prison.”
Amal announced on an NBC network broadcast that she would be taking on the case and bringing it to the European courts. By doing so, Amal then became a target and this led to attack” by Azerbaijan’s media, which is all state-controlled. Antelava says that’s an indication of how embarrassed the government is over Clooney’s involvement.”
“She’s an extraordinary person actually. I know her personally. She is an incredibly courageous woman who has for years been digging up dirt on the Azeri government and exposing them, and has infuriated the government of Azerbaijan.”
Anteleva also shares that Ismayilova is a talented and dedicated journalist with expertise that have resulted in awards and accolades.
“She’s won numerous awards … and I would say she’s probably the only real investigative journalist in the entire Caucasus region, and she’s done some very impressive reporting.”
Anteleva shares that in digging up dirt and not backing down, Clooney’s client’s troubles quickly began.
Troubles are now heading Amal’s way with these recent personal attacks. PRI outlines the content of the media attacks that have been directed at the human rights barrister.
“They accused her of harboring a vendetta against Turkic countries (Azeri is a Turkic language). They also accused her of being Armenian. That’s an extremely loaded term in Azerbaijan, which is a historic enemy of its neighbor, Armenia. But it’s also not true. Amal Clooney is British, but the child of parents from Lebanon’s Druze and Sunni Muslim communities.”
Anteleva responds to the attacks directed at Clooney, noting the disconnect in the allegations made against Amal.
“I think for domestic consumption, this sort of thing works. You know, here is some Armenian, same famous Armenian that you’ve vaguely heard about, and the reason she’s doing that is not because she is a lawyer who wants to help someone who’s in need of her help, but because she’s Armenian.”
It sounds as though it may be a trying case for Amal Clooney, but her expertise are sure to be of benefit to her client.
[Feature photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images]
