The conviction of 12 Nauruan dissidents is "appalling", an Australian barrister says.
T-shirts worn by family and supporters of the 19 Nauruans who were prosecuted by government for staging a protest outside of parliament in 2015. Photo: Nauru 19/ Facebook
The last of the group of Nauru anti-government protesters, known as the 'Nauru 19', were charged with rioting and disturbing the legislature over a protest more than four years ago.
They have been convicted and are in custody awaiting sentence.
Last year, the group was granted a permanent stay on the grounds they couldn't get a fair trial because of government interference in the judiciary.
That was over-ruled and when they went to trial before Justice Daniel Fatiaki they were denied legal representation.
Stephen Lawrence said the convictions were all about politics.
"Daniel Fatiaki is in many ways not acting in the role of a judge in Nauru, he is a hired gun, who has been brought in to do a job. It really is appalling, a parody of justice - in no way a true criminal trial."
Mr Lawrence was part of a team of lawyers which had been working with the Nauru 19 pro bono for several years, but was unable to represent them in the just-completed trial.
The other members of the Nauru 19 include three who went overseas, one of who was former president Sprent Dabwido, who died earlier this year of cancer.
His death has been blamed on the Nauru Government, which had delayed Mr Dabwido's departure for overseas medical treatment.
Two others, including another former MP, Squire Jeremiah, are now seeking political asylum in Australia.
Another four had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges.