The human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called upon the High Court of Appeals to reverse the convictions on 23 October, when the case will be heard by the highest judicial institution. HRW also urged the prosecutors to launch a new trial in case of possible criminal activity in which the rights of the defendants are properly respected and allegedly coerced confessions are disallowed.
The allegations of torture in custody were reported to HRW during interviews with the medical staff. They said that they were physiologically and psychologically pressured by interrogators, held incommunicado and were prohibited to contact legal counsel. Other allegations include abuses with electric devices and threats of rape.
