A court in Tanzania's capital has sentenced four men to life imprisonment for the gang rape and sodomy of a girl under the age of 18 in a case which caused outrage in the country.
Among the convicts are Clinton Damas, a soldier with the Tanzania People's Defence Force, and Praygod Mushi, a prison officer.
The other two convicts are Nickson Jackson and Amin Lema.
In addition to the life sentences, the four men have each been ordered to pay 1m shillings ($370; £275) to the victim.
A fifth suspect - a senior policewoman suspected of ordering the sex attack - is to be tried separately in October.
The case has triggered shockwaves in Tanzania, which is a highly conservative society.
Outside the Dodoma Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, the men's defence lawyer, Godfrey Wasonga, said they were dissatisfied with the ruling, claiming that some legal provisions had been violated.
But several activists, celebrities, and human rights defenders have praised the court's judgment on social media.
A video of the gang-rape began circulating online in August, and soon afterwards police urged the public not to forward the footage so as "to avoid torturing the victim and her family".
The East African nation is struggling to deal with a surge in gender-based violence, with many cases going unreported, according to local media.
"Ignoring these issues will only lead to their increased occurrence in our society," warned the Legal and Human Rights Centre last month.
In recent weeks a police commander, Theopista Mallya, was removed from her post following controversial comments in which she linked the victim to sex work.
Latest Stories
-
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
9 mins -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
10 mins -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
25 mins -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
25 mins -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
50 mins -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
51 mins -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
51 mins -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
2 hours -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
2 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
2 hours -
Bawku Conflict: National Security fully aware of events – Bawku Naaba’s lawyer
2 hours -
Dodome to celebrate festival in a bid to construct traditional council facility
2 hours -
Bawku conflict: We’re playing with fire, gov’t must stamp its authority – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Supreme Court under Akufo-Addo is acting supranational – Tony Aidoo
2 hours -
Israeli Ambassador Designate tours Jewish education centres in Ghana
3 hours