Ex-soldiers condemned to life in jail appeal case

The lawyers representing the 19 ex-solders during a preliminary meeting at the Court in Mombasa County on Tuesday 14th April 2015. The state wanted the case to be heard by a two judge bench but Justice Martin Muya said he will hear the case on April 20,21, 22 and May 11 and 12. [Photo/Kelvin Karani/STANDARD]

Lawyers for the 26 former Kenya Navy soldiers serving life terms for allegedly deserting Mtongwe Naval Base in 2007 and 2008 have launched appeals at the High Court in Mombasa with scathing attacks on the conduct of the military tribunals that convicted them.

The former servicemen and an officer are serving life jail terms at Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa following their conviction by three military courts between March last year and early this year.