Kuala Lumpur  - A Malaysian court sentenced two policemen to death Thursday on charges of murdering a Mongolian woman who was blown up with military-grade explosives in 2006.

The murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, created great controversy after her lover Abdul Razak Baginda, who was a political advisor to Prime Minister Najib Razak, was jointly charged along with the two police officers with her murder.

Abdul Razak was acquitted in October of abetting the murder.

On Thursday, High Court judge Mohamad Zaki Yasin said the prosecution had proven the case against Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umarm beyond reasonable doubt.

"They have failed to raise any reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case which I find to be irresistibly conclusive on account of the physical and circumstantial evidence adduced before me.

"I therefore now sentence you, Azilah and Sirul Azhar, to death and both of you will henceforth be kept in lawful custody until you are brought to a lawful place where you will be hung by the neck until you are dead," Mohamad Zaki was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Opposition leaders have tried to link Najib to the case, with an opposition lawmaker even demanding in Parliament recently that Najib answer to allegations that he was involved in the murder and even knew the victim. Najib has repeatedly denied any role in the murder.

The defence team has said it would appeal against the conviction.(dpa)