Second DR Congo court orders execution for Norwegians

[NordicHeathenVinlander]

Two Norwegians who had their death sentences overturned in April have again been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Former soldiers Joshua French, who holds joint British-Norwegian nationality, and Tjostolv Moland were found guilty of murdering their driver.




They were also again found guilty of spying for Norway.



The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the capital, Kinshasa, says the tribunal in Kisangani has lowered the damages the convicted men and the Norwegian state have been ordered to pay from $500m (£300m) to $65m.

Lawyers for both men would not comment on the trial but UK-based legal charity Reprieve has condemned it as a "show trial".



"This farce of a trial would be comical if the stakes weren't so tragically high," said the group's Tineke Harris.
"Each time the military prosecution changes their theory, the witnesses all obligingly change their story. It is now clear why the DRC's own constitution forbids the military from administering justice."
Both men have always maintained their innocence.



Both defendants were carrying Norwegian military identity cards when they were arrested, which led to the spying charges - also denied by the Norwegian government.

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What a scary situation to be in. All the wording in this BBC reports points to be a farce.


But what is this crap about spying and then the Govt of Norway owing money?

I cant think of a single reason why the Norweigians would need to spy on the Congo or it's inhabitants "Bunch of trees, death and poverty."

And 60m for an alledged murder, which hasnt been proven? lunacy.


I think perhaps the UK and Norway should send some people in to get these guys from this tyannical regime and it's P*** poor execuse for a judicial system, because this is starting to sound like a hostage situation.

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

This is exactly why I would never go to a country like this. Sucks for them, but if you take a risk and go to a hostile place you run the risk of bad things.

 

[Doug]

I know almost nothing about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but I assume the following:

Since it is called a "Democratic Republic," it is a socialist dictatorship.
Since it is a socialist dictatorship:
It is ruled by persons with no morality.
It is a failure, economically.

Therefore, logically, this is a kidnapping for ransom perpetrated by the government.

 

[booey50]

bingo doug socialist dictatorship is right...
Congo Government

 

[NordicHeathenVinlander]

I had no idea. but Im not surprised.


This does sound like "someone" feels they deserved to get paid.

Too bad those cowards in UK and Norway will let they're countrymen, and Veterans die for a sick game.

 

[CarmelHP]

They were also again found guilty of spying for Norway.

Norway? Has Norway menaced anyone since the Viking days?

 

[NordicHeathenVinlander]

Norway? Has Norway menaced anyone since the Viking days?

Believe it or not... But the Scandinavian Nations have to pay Reperations to those of Amerindian descent; Because of what the Vikings did to the "Skrealings".

 

[Blue Tile Spook]

I cant think of a single reason why the Norweigians would need to spy on the Congo or it's inhabitants "Bunch of trees, death and poverty."

Spying is a generic term backed by a multitude of reasons: Military strength assessment, economic assessment, etc. You'd be surprised who we (the U.S.) has spied on, what info was collected and the reasons why we collected that information.

 

[Bigum1969]

Reason #4,563 to not go to Africa.