Top lawyer John Jones QC, known for representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has died.

"With immense sadness we share the tragic news of the death of John Jones QC," said a statement from his legal firm, Doughty Street Chambers, where he was the head of its international criminal law team. It did not provide any details on the nature or location of his death.

Jones specialized in war crimes, counter-terrorism and extradition and defended a number of high-profile suspects in war crimes covering the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone, among others. He was representing the son of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Saif.

Jones acted as Assange's lawyer when the Swedish government attempted to extradite him for questioning regarding rape allegations.

Described by others as "fearless and tenacious," his law form also noted "his amazing sense of humour, his professionalism and his deep commitment to justice and the rule of law." ®