Two female opposition lawmakers in Mauritania were sentenced on Monday to four years in prison each after insulting the president and making claims of racial bias, their lawyers told The Associated Press.

Last month, lawmakers Marieme Cheikh Dieng and Ghamou Achour were charged with “attacking the symbols of the state” and “calling for gatherings with a view to undermine public security" after they posted messages on social media critical of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

The two lawmakers had called in several social media posts for Ghazouani's removal.

The lawmakers’ attorneys — Mohamed Ould Ahmed Miske, Yaghoub Ould Sèïf and Moctar Ould Ely — confirmed the verdict of the trial at a criminal court in the capital Nouakchott to the AP. The government has not commented on the conviction.

The lawmakers are with the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement coalition, which is not a registered political party but allied with the registered Sawab party to help them get elected.