Sean “Diddy” Combs' legal team filed a formal request with the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan demanding his immediate release or a substantial reduction of his sentence.

The appeal comes after the artist was sentenced to more than four years in prison for crimes related to the prostitution.

In the document filed last Tuesday night, the lawyers argue that the sentence imposed by Federal Judge Arun Subramanian was “excessive” and unfairly influenced by charges of which Combs was acquitted.

The 56-year-old rapper is currently serving his sentence in a federal prison in New Jersey, with a scheduled release date of May 2028.

The rapper's defense maintains that Judge Subramanian acted as a “thirteenth juror” by considering related evidence to the charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering and sex trafficking, crimes of which Combs was acquired in July.

According to the lawyers, the 50-month sentence far exceeds the standards for cases of prostitution without coercion, where sentences are typically less than 15 months.

“The jury's verdict was overturned by judicial findings that characterized Combs' conduct as "Coercive and exploitative, raising the sentence to unprecedented levels in similar cases," they stated in the appeal. During the original sentencing, Judge Subramanian highlighted testimonies from ex-girlfriends, including Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, who recounted physical and psychological abuse during encounters known as "hotel nights." The judge stated at the time that Combs used his power to mistreat the women, thus justifying a harsher sentence. Now, the appeals court must assess whether the treatment received by the musician was unfair, while Combs remains in custody awaiting a decision that could change the course of his legal situation.