The two police officers found guilty of the deadly assault of Mitch Henriquez and sentenced to suspended jail terms are appealing against their convictions.

‘The defence believes it demonstrated a not guilty verdict,’ their lawyers said in a statement on Thursday, news agency ANP reported.

Judges in The Hague ruled in December that the precise cause of Henriquez’ death could not be determined but that it is extremely likely the choke hold used by one of the officers was a major cause.

Judges also said the prolonged use of the choke hold by one officer and the use of pepper spray by the other as he hit Henriquez in the face, were unlawful.

Henriquez died in July 2015, a day after being arrested by a team of five officers at the Zuiderpark in The Hague. Police said they responded after he claimed to be carrying a gun.