Two Cameroonian men sentenced to five years in prison for engaging in gay sex were jeered by a disapproving crowd when they appeared in court for their appeal hearing, the AFP reported.

According to the reports, lawyer for the convicted couple, identified as Jonas and Franky, have called on the courts to repeal the sentencing and release the men.

“They will present guarantees to assure you that they will respond regularly to summons from the court,” Michel Togue said at the appeals court in Yaounde, the Cameroonian capital.

A crowd outside the court booed the men as they were driven back to their prison cells.

“There is prejudice here,” the lawyer said.

Like many African countries, Cameroon is largely homophobic, and the law stipulates and individuals guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships be sentenced to five years in prison and fined.

According to reports, both Jonas and Franky and a third man were sentenced to five years in Jail last November and ordered to pay a 300 euro fine.

The third man did not appeal his sentencing. The judge adjourned the case to April 20 to consider the call for their release.