She will work with a team of international lawyers ascounsel to Ressa and coordinate with attorneys in Manila

Prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney has said she will jointhe legal team defending Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, whose news site hasrepeatedly clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine “Person of the Year” in2018 for her journalism, faces several criminal charges along with her websiteRappler, in what press freedom advocates have branded an act of “persecution“.

“Maria Ressa is a courageous journalist who is beingpersecuted for reporting the news and standing up to human rights abuses,”Clooney said in a statement issued by London’s Doughty Street Chambers, whereshe works, on July 8. “We will pursue all available legal remedies to vindicateher rights and defend press freedom and the rule of law in the Philippines.” Clooneywill work with a team of international lawyers as counsel to Ressa andcoordinate with attorneys in Manila, the statement said.