The World - News from June 14, 1987

Jean-Bedel Bokassa, deposed ruler of the Central African Republic, appealed the death sentence imposed on him Friday. His lawyers asked the country’s Supreme Court to order a mistrial on the grounds that under the new constitution, a former head of state can be put on trial only for high treason. The lawyers said that if the appeal is rejected, they will ask President Andre Kolingba to commute Bokassa’s sentence to life in prison.