Appeal hearing for Cyprus soldiers

Victim Louise Jensen

Three former soldiers are due in court in Cyprus to appeal against their convictions for killing a Danish tour guide.

Geoffrey Pernell, Allan Ford and Justin Fowler were found guilty of the abduction, conspiracy to rape, and manslaughter of Louise Jensen in March 1996.

The three men from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Greenjackets were discharged after their convictions.

Throughout their eight-month trial they denied all the charges and they will claim on Thursday at the Supreme Court in Nicosia that new evidence proves their innocence.

Other legal arguments due to be heard by the Supreme Court will be based on legal technicalities.

Prison conversations

The state prosecutor is to call Michael Flack, a former London detective chief inspector, to give evidence.

Mr Flack was jailed in Cyprus on burglary charges and spent time with Ford, Pernell and Fowler. He is said to have kept a detailed record of his conversations with the men.

It is not known whether his evidence will help the prosecution case but they are obliged to make any new evidence available to the court.

The appeal hearing at the Supreme Court in Nicosia is expected to last for several days.