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Afghan protesters denounce court decision to overturn death sentences in mob killing of woman

Associated Press
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A woman chants slogans during a protest held by the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan for 27 year-old Farkhunda, who was beaten to death by a mob months ago, at the site of the attack in Kabul, Monday, July 6, 2015. More than one hundred gathered to demand justice for the woman who was killed on March 19 outside one of the capital's most famous mosques. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) (The Associated Press)

A man chants slogans during a protest held by the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan for 27 year-old Farkhunda, who was beaten to death by a mob months ago, at the site of the attack in Kabul, Monday, July 6, 2015. More than one hundred gathered to demand justice for the woman who was killed on March 19 outside one of the capital's most famous mosques. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) (The Associated Press)

Women wear masks that bear pictures of 27 year-old Farkhunda, who was beaten to death by a mob months ago, during a protest held by the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan at the site of the attack in Kabul, Monday, July 6, 2015. More than one hundred gathered to demand justice for the woman who was killed on March 19 outside one of the capital's most famous mosques. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) (The Associated Press)

Dozens of Afghans have rallied to denounce last week's court ruling that overturned the death sentences for four men convicted for taking part in the mob killing of a woman outside a Kabul shrine in March.

The protesters, mostly members of the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan and women activists, staged Monday's protest outside of the same shrine where Farkhunda Malikzada was killed by mob.

Many carried posters of the slain woman and shouted, "We want justice!"

One of the participants, activist Malalai Joya, said the court decision paves way for the killers to "go free tomorrow and they are all criminals."

The appeal court ruled that three of the men convicted of the murder were instead given 20-year sentences each, and the fourth man was sentenced to 10 years.