Four Burundian journalists have appeared before a court to appeal against a two-and-a-half year sentence handed down to them in January.

Térence Mpozenzi, Agnès Ndirubusa, Egide Harerimana and Christine Kamikazi, who worked for the private newspaper Iwacu, were arrested last October while on their way to cover clashes between Burundian troops and the Red-Tabara rebel group in the northern Bubanza province.

They were sentenced in January for "complicity in undermining the internal security of the state". The UN Human Rights Council condemned the sentence.

Their lawyer, Clément Retirakiza, told the BBC that Wednesday’s hearing was balanced as they were given the same time to present their case as the prosecution.

“We have hope that the Court of Appeal will clean and release them,” Mr Retirakiza said, emphasising that his clients were arrested while working legally.

Right groups, international journalists unions and the European Union MPs have condemned the arrest and trial of the four journalists.

The appeal will be determined in 30 days the court said.