eight men who successfully appealed against death sentences

eight men who successfully appealed against death sentences for high treason against Myanmar's military regime were to launch a new court challenge against their jail terms. The men were currently serving terms from three years to life for their supposed role in plans to overthrow the junta. Their treatment sparked wide condemnation from abroad. 
One of the men, Zaw Thet Htway, the editor of a sports magazine, was arrested in July 2003 after publishing a story alleging misuse of a four million dollar international grant to promote football in Myanmar.
The others included three men charged over contacts with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and were all convicted in November 2003 before having their sentences commuted to jail terms six months later.
"We are almost ready with all the pertinent documents and hope to file the special appeal before the end of this week," lawyer Naing Ngwe Ya told AFP.
The lawyer said he hoped Zaw Thet Htway -- whose death sentence was commuted to three years -- could be released after an appeal.
Media groups had campaigned for the release of the editor whose magazine was the country's most widely read sports publication, with a circulation of more than 50,000.