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Norwegian Tjostolv Moland dies in Congo jail

A Norwegian sentenced to death in 2010 for murder and spying in the Democratic Republic of Congo has died in prison, Norway's foreign minister announced on Sunday.

Published: 19 August 2013 07:21 CEST

Norwegian Tjostolv Moland dies in Congo jail

Tjostolv Moland during visit from mother Mathilde Moland in 2010 - Geir Egeland Ingar / Scanpix

"We have been informed today that Tjostolv Moland is dead. He was found in his prison cell in Kinshasa this morning," Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told reporters.

When asked about the cause of death, he replied only that Norway had "no comment at this time."

Moland and his friend Joshua French, who has dual British-Norwegian nationality, were sentenced to death for murder and spying in the vast central African country in 2010.

Shortly after their conviction Moland, 32, and French, 31, wrote to Congolese President Joseph Kabila to ask for a pardon or for their death sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment that could eventually be served in Norway.

Norwegian authorities have since been trying to negotiate a transfer to the Scandinavian country.

Former soldiers French and Moland, who claimed they were in the country to set up their own security company, were first sentenced to death in 2009, convicted of having killed the driver of the car they had rented in May that year. They insisted the driver was killed by bandits.

The verdict was annulled for irregularities by the high military court in 2010, but a new panel of judges convicted them in a retrial in June that year of spying, criminal association, murder and attempted murder.

A prison official claimed in August 2011 that the pair — who met in the Norwegian army — had tried to escape from prison, but their lawyer denied this.

DR Congo has not carried out a death sentence since Kabila came to power in 2001, but has commuted such penalties to life imprisonment.

Barth Eide said a Norwegian diplomat has been sent to the Kinshasa prison following the news of Moland's death.

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Police arrest 30 protesters after Congo riot causes fire

Gare de Lyon train station was partially evacuated. Photo: Julien Claus/AFP

The nearby Gare de Lyon train station was partially evacuated during the chaos and police warned Parisians to stay away as a thick, black column of smoke billowed over the city centre.

Authorities had banned protests around the concert by singer Fally Ipupa at the AccorHotels Arena in the capital but dozens turned out in anger nevertheless, facing off with the artist's fans and trading insults.

“With their music, they (the Congolese government) are bringing an entire people to their side while they slaughter and rape women and children,” opponent Willy Dendebe told AFP at the scene.

“I have been here (in France) for 30 years because of them! Thirty years and we let them be here in France as if nothing has happened. So yes, we are angry!”

Police said 30 people were arrested and 54 fined for participating in a banned protest, while train traffic was severely disrupted.

On Twitter, Paris police denounced the “unacceptable violence” and posted a video of what it said was “scandalous behaviour” by protesters shown wielding large roadworks barriers to prevent firefighters from getting to the flames.

Outside the station, AFP witnessed a dozen firetrucks at work amid the smouldering wrecks of about 30 vehicles, mainly scooters. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner condemned the violence and damage caused in the area, while National Assembly member Eric Ciotti described the events as an “unacceptable urban riot”.

Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen called the demonstrators “scum” on Twitter and asked: “What image does our country give to the world?

'It's a shame'

Congolese expats regularly speak out against artists from home who perform in France or Belgium, accusing them of being close to former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila and his successor Felix Tshisekedi.

Tshisekedi took office in January 2019, succeeding President Joseph Kabila, who stepped down after 18 iron-fisted years at the helm. Many see Tshisekedi as an extension of his predecessor.

Last month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the Congolese army and other state agents committed rights violations in the conflict-wracked central African country.

Just days earlier, Amnesty International delivered a damning assessment of Tshisekedi's government, saying “insecurity and impunity continue to threaten human rights progress” in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lwangi Bienvenu, an Ipupa fan who travelled from Belgium for the concert, observed the chaos from his hotel near the Gare de Lyon.

“It's a shame. He's Congolese, we should all be behind him,” Bienvenu said of the singer. “People will talk about the bad inside us. They put people in danger and they will now surely cancel the concert.”

Paris has had its share of violent demonstrations in recent months with protesters ranging from the anti-government “yellow vests” movement to workers striking against pension reform setting fire to public property and smashing store windows during several marches, and clashing with police.

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