Two Norwegian nationals were Thursday again sentenced to death by a court in the Democratic Republic of Congo for circumstances surrounding the death of their driver in 2009, Norwegian media reported.
The men, Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland, had worked for a private security firm in the Congo. Their driver was killed in early May 2009 and they were arrested a few days later after attempting to flee. They claimed the driver was killed when their car was attacked by armed robbers.
The two were previously convicted in September and December, but, in April, the Congolese Supreme Court ordered a new trial over procedural mistakes.
The military court in Kisangani on Thursday ruled that Moland shot the driver. Both Norwegians were also convicted of espionage, illegal arms possession, attempted murder and organising a criminal gang, the online edition of Norwegian daily Verdens Gang reported.
The Norwegians were also ordered to pay damages, including some 3-million dollars (about R23.2-million) to the driver's widow.
In December, Norwegian officials said they had received assurances that they two were not to be executed. Congo has also had a moratorium on the death penalty for some years.
If the ruling is not appealed, it is likely the two will ask to serve their sentences in Norway, their Norwegian lawyer said. - Sapa-dpa