There is still, to be sure, a long way to go: Akin Birdal, a leading human-rights campaigner, lost his appeal against a jail sentence this week.

ECONOMIST: Dark in the east

His disgraced predecessor, Aryeh Deri, whose appeal against a four-year prison sentence for taking bribes is to be heard early in the new year, stayed away.

ECONOMIST: Israel��s great divide

The title could become vacant if Braehmer - who pulled out of a 17 July defence against Vikapita 'Beast Master' Meroro because of injury - fails in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour.

BBC: Nathan Cleverly eyes Jean Pascal after Chad Dawson win

Jean Pascal is WBC champion and Beibut Shumenov the WBA title holder, while if Braehmer fails in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour the winner of Cleverly and Murat will replace him as WBO king.

BBC: Nathan Cleverly plots world domination

But her lawyers have said they will appeal against the sentence and supporters have set up an online petition campaigning for a pardon from the prison sentence, attracting over 20, 000 signatures.

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Hilton sentence 'could be halved'

Days later, an appeal court upheld the death sentence against Helmut Hofer, a German businessman arrested a year ago for having an affair with an Iranian Muslim woman.

ECONOMIST: Iran and Europe

Last week, Bangladesh's parliament amended a law which will allow the state to appeal against the life sentence given by the tribunal to an Islamist party leader.

BBC: Deadly Bangladesh clashes over 'blasphemous' bloggers

In the wake of the public outcry calling for the execution of Abdul Kader Mullah, Bangladesh's parliament earlier this month amended a law which will allow the state to appeal against his life sentence.

BBC: Bangladesh war crimes trial: Delwar Hossain Sayeedi to die

James Gray, 46, fled a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on 12 May after losing his appeal against his 26-week jail sentence.

BBC: James Gray