DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AFP) — The trial of four men accused of gang rape in a case that has shocked Tanzania was paused on Friday, a defence lawyer said.

The alleged attack in the capital Dodoma in May came to light after a former local mayor posted about it on X on August 4, spurring condemnation and calls for action from rights groups across the country.

The four men — who were arrested August 9 — appeared at Dodoma High Court earlier this week where they pleaded not guilty to allegations of gang rape and sodomising the woman.

“The judge informed us that (she) had received a notice of the application filed in the High Court regarding the case, so the case should not proceed until the application is resolved,” defence lawyer Meshack Ngamando said.

Officials said previously the trial would run until August 23 as it had attracted significant interest.

The application challenged the legality of the accused to a defence, Ngamando said.

He said people “must understand that what we are doing is not defending the accused but representing them so that they can receive their fundamental rights”.

It is unclear when the trial will restart, however the court had scheduled August 28 for the application decision.

The identity of the alleged victim has not been revealed, with Renatus Mkude, assistant director at the public prosecution office, saying she would be referred to as “XY” in the case.

When the incident first emerged in posts on X by ex-mayor Boniface Jacob, he alleged the men were believed to be members of the Tanzanian armed forces, but this could not be verified.