afrol News, 8 September - Two former Norwegian servicemen have been sentenced by a Congolese court to death after being convicted of espionage and murder.

According to reports, the two men identified as Tjostolv Moland and Joshua French, have also been ordered by the court to pay US$ 60 million in damages.

Further reports have quoted the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, condemning the decision, saying the two men were not spying, at least for the Norwegian government.

The minister also suggested his government would formally protest the sentencing.

Mr French (27) and Moland (28), faced charges of arms smuggling and espionage, the charges which they denied, while also were accused of the murder of their Congolese driver who was found shot dead in May this year in the north-east of the country.

They have however said their driver was killed when their vehicle was attacked by gunmen.

The two men are reported to have been in the Congo to explore the establishment of a private security company in the country.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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