Lawyers for Guinea's ex-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara said Thursday they would appeal his conviction for crimes against humanity over mass killings and rapes at a 2009 political rally.
A court found Dadis Camara, 59, guilty on Wednesday and sentenced him to 20 years behind bars following a landmark trial.
"The collective rejects this decision as a whole and to mark its disagreement intends ... to appeal this unjust judgement so that it is censured by the court of appeal," his group of lawyers said in a statement.
It said that during the nearly two-year trial, Dadis Camara had never "been heard or required to explain the elements constituting the crime against humanity".
The former head of Dadis Camara's protection unit, Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite who was also sentenced to 10 years, will appeal, his lawyer Lancine Sylla said in a statement on Thursday.
Just before Dadis Camara's sentencing, the court in the capital Conakry announced the charges would be classified as crimes against humanity.
The verdict marked "the end of a 15-year fight to seek the truth and justice for the victims", said the president of the victims' association AVIPA.
"Our fight will not stop here, we will continue to work so that every victim receives reparations and so that such events never occur in Guinea ever again," she said.
On September 28, 2009, and in the following days, members of Dadis Camara's presidential guard, soldiers, police and militia suppressed an opposition rally at a stadium in the Conakry suburbs.
At least 156 people were killed, hundreds more wounded and 109 women raped, according to a UN-mandated commission of inquiry.
Only 57 bodies have been recovered, according to the families and human rights organisations.
- 'A landmark moment' -
The ex-junta chief was found guilty "based on the responsibility of the upper hierarchy", the court president said.
He was also convicted of having planned to suppress the demonstration and failed to punish those who carried it out.
Seven other defendants were handed sentences of up to life imprisonment over the massacre.
The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the verdict.
"The judgement marks a landmark moment in establishing the truth behind the 28 September 2009 events and bringing to account those bearing the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed," the ICC said in a statement.
"Guinean judges sent a clear signal that no-one is above the law."
UN rights chief Volker Turk said it was crucial to continue the fight against impunity in Guinea and work to shed light on "the full facts and responsibilities" around the incident.
"After nearly 15 years, the victims, survivors and their families have the right to full justice and transparency," the UN high commissioner said in a statement.