Dresden, Germany  - Defence lawyers for the man convicted of killing Egyptian pharmacist Marwa el-Shirbini announced Thursday that they would lodge an appeal against the decision.

Alex Wiens, 29, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday for stabbing Shirbini to death out of racist motives.

His defence during the trial argued for diminished responsibility on his part, due to psychological problems.

The court has seven weeks to decide if the appeal has grounds for proceeding.(dpa)