The defense counsel for the seven former officials from the State Portfolio Management Agency (DEKA) has called for the trial to be postponed on the grounds the case has become the center of political debate, which will not allow for a fair trial.

The legal team said comments from senior members of government calling the suspects “cheats” may signal the imposition of harsh penalties.

A new trial for the officials started on Monday after an appeals court in December cleared them of breach of faith to the prejudice of the public interest, ruling that DEKA was an independent company and its officials should have been charged with common breach of faith, which has a five-year statute of limitations.

The court will decide upon the request when the trial resumes on Wednesday.