text: High-powered human rights lawyer Amal Clooney held a press conference in Washington DC today calling for the release of imprisoned former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed. George Clooney's newlywed wife appeared before reporters at the National Press Club at 10am Thursday, accompanied by Laila Ali, the wife of the jailed politician, and Jared Genser, the founder of the organization Freedom Now. Nasheed, the Indian Ocean archipelago's first democratically elected leader who came to power in 2008, was convicted under tough anti-terror laws last month and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Scroll down for video . Amal Clooney held a press conference in Washington DC today calling for the release of imprisoned former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed . Clooney, 37, appeared before reporters at the National Press Club in the capital . Mrs Clooney wore a navy blue pants suit paired with a plain white blouse beneath her single-button jacket . Mrs Clooney is part of a high-profile international legal team representing ousted and jailed Maldivian ex-President Nasheed, who has been sentenced to 13 years in prison . In her remarks Thursday in Washington, Mrs Clooney said she will not rest until Nasheed walks free. The case against the president, who was ousted in 2012 in what has been described by hs supporters as a coup, stemmed from the alleged wrongful detention of a judge by the Maldivian military. The Maldives leader's trial has sparked international concern for the fledgling island democracy after local and foreign human rights activists said the former president's imprisonment was politically motivated. Amnesty International panned the 'sham trial,' and said the verdict was a 'travesty of justice,' according to a press release put out by the National Press Club Thursday. In early April, Nasheed announced a high-profile legal team, including Amal Clooney, will spearhead a fresh attempt to secure his release. In her prepared remarks Thursday in Washington, Mrs Clooney said she will not rest until Nasheed walks free, reported the India's Focus News. The British-Lebanese attorney said she will appeal to the US government to put pressure on the government of Maldives to release her client . Local and foreign human rights activists have raised concerns that Mrs Clooney's client has been unjustly imprisoned . Wife Laila Ali said she is concerned for the health and safety of her husband . The 37-year-old brunette beauty was the epitome chic leaving the National Press Club Thursday morning, a cup of coffee and her iPhone in hand . Clooney paired her crisp business suit with eye-catching suede stilettos . For a pop of color, the fashion-forward attorney tied a brightly hued scarf to her leather tote bag . The Oxford- and NYU Law-educated attorney said she will appeal to the US government to put pressure on the government of Maldives, headed by Abdulla Yameen, to release her client. Laila Ali said she is concerned for the health and safety of her husband, who has been bouncing around prisons since his sentencing. Mohamed Nasheed came to power after building a pro-democracy movement with local and foreign support in opposition to the 30-year autocratic rule of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the half-brother of President Yameen . During the press conference in DC Thursday, Amal Clooney, 37, was all business, sporting a chic navy blue pants suit with a plain white blouse under a single-button jacket. The 53-year-old actor was then seen leaving Caravaggio Restaurant hand in hand with his wife of seven months . Amal's mother Baria looked proud to be escorted by her movie star son-in-law while her father Ramzi also offered a hand to his wife . Less than two days earlier, the raven-haired beauty enjoyed a night out on the town in New York City with her parents and her Hollywood superstar husband. George and his better half cut a handsome couple on the night out, with the Gravity star tending to his leading lady on the way out of Caravaggio Restaurant on the Upper East Side, holding her hand as they made their way to a waiting vehicle. The Lebanese-British lawyer paired a floral print flared mini-dress with lace-up stilettos and her jet black locks styled glossy and voluminous around her shoulders. A pop of red lipstick complemented a matching coloured band at her waist and she accessorised with diamond earrings. The Lebanese-British lawyer flaunted her legs in a black mini dress and lace-up heels . Giambattista Valli Fall 2013 black velvet gladiator heels . Shop the current collection at Farfetch . Buy now . We still can't get over how gorgeous Amal Clooney looked throughout her four day wedding extravaganza in Venice last September. And she's managed to keep the momentum going seven months on! She headed out for dinner with hubby George and her family wearing a floral fit and flare dress by Alexander McQueen. But if we've learned one thing about Amal in the year or so that she's been on our radar, it's that she is an expert at accessorising! She completed her look with these lace up heels, which are by one of her very favourite designer labels, Giambattista Valli. We've spotted her wearing this velvet textured gladiator style before and we have to say we love them. Her sandals hail from the Fall 2013 collection, so unfortunately they're now all sold out. But luckily the high street is hot on the heels of the tie up trend! Missguided's tassel trim versions are top of our list - just team them with your best LBD to really let your feet do all the talking. PrettyLittleThing Serafina lace up heels . Buy now . Asos Heartbreak Hotel lace up heels . Buy now . AX Paris lace up heels . Buy now . Missguided Valentina heels . Buy now .
target: Clooney, 37, appeared at National Press Club to address imprisonment of former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed .
  High-powered lawyer was joined by Nasheed's wife, Laila Ali .
  Amal Clooney told reporters she will appeal to US government to put pressure on Maldivian officials in order to secure Nasheed's release .
  George and Amal dined in New York City with her parents Tuesday .