British oil company Soco International paid off an army officer accused of silencing critics of exploration in Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Park, an NGO alleges.

Global Witness published scans of four cheques totalling $15,600 (14,000 euros) allegedly issued by Soco's Congolese subsidiary to the major posted to the park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to many of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas.

The British NGO also published what it said was a receipt for the cheques signed by the officer on May 15, 2014, along with another dated April 30, 2014, confirming he had received $26,650 (24,000 euros).

In a statement SOCO said they “strongly refute any suggestion that this funding was in any way improper or connected with alleged acts of intimidation or violence.“

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