A judge in Mozambique has ordered the release of a businessman convicted of ordering the 2000 murder of one of the country's top investigative journalists.

Vicente Ramaya was serving a prison sentence of more than 23 years for his part in the murder of journalist Carlos Cardoso.

Judge Aderito Malhope on Tuesday signed papers granting Ramay's release because of good behavior.

Legal experts quoted by the Mozambique News Agency said the early release was an extraordinary decision, in part because no court-ordered compensation had yet been paid by Ramaya or others convicted in the crime.