Congo Metes Out Death Sentences to 37 Coup Conspirators, Including Three US Citizens
On the 19th of May, there was an attempt by a band of armed individuals to breach the residence of President Félix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This venture into coup territory was swiftly thwarted by the military, leading to the imposition of the strictest penalties by a military court. Out of the 51 individuals involved, 37 have been sentenced to death.
This tribunal has also seen three American citizens, as well as three others bearing British, Canadian, and Belgian passports, being convicted. The defendants were ordered to compensate the state to the tune of up to $50 million. Fourteen of the accused were acquitted.
Lawyers representing the convicted have stated their plans to appeal, with one, Richard Bondo, deeming the verdict as disregarding extenuating circumstances.
The Alleged Coup Architect
The trial has been ongoing since June, with the defendants facing charges of terrorism, unlawful weapon and ammunition possession, attempted assassination, forming a criminal syndicate, murder, and financing terrorism.
A group of armed individuals launched an attack on President Tshisekedi's residence in Kinshasa on the night of May 19th, declaring an end to his presidency, which began in 2019 and was subsequently re-affirmed in December. The army later confirmed on national television that the coup had been foiled. The opposition politician, Christian Malanga, was believed to be the orchestrator of this attempted coup. Regrettably, he was reportedly taken down by security forces. Included among those sentenced to death is his son, Marcel Malanga, an American citizen.
Coercion in the Coup?
The trial has failed to provide much insight into the events of May 19th. Marcel Malanga claimed that his father had threatened his life if he refused to comply. The two American citizens, Tyler Thompson (22) and Benjamin Zalman-Polun (36), also alleged that they were forced into participation in the coup.
Human Rights Watch raised concerns over the detention of Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese security expert who was also sentenced to death. His relatives claim that the case against him was based on a 2016 photo featuring him with Malanga.
The death penalty had been suspended in the Democratic Republic of Congo for years, but it was reinstated post-coup attempt despite widespread criticism.
In reference to the coup attempt, the Democratic Republic of Congo witnessed a trial involving various individuals, including three American citizens and others with British, Canadian, and Belgian passports. The opposition politician Christian Malanga, believed to be the architect of the attempted coup, was reportedly involved, leading to his son, Marcel Malanga, an American citizen, being sentenced to death.
During the trial, Marcel Malanga accused his father of threatening his life if he refused participation in the coup. Two American citizens, Tyler Thompson (22) and Benjamin Zalman-Polun (36), also alleged coercion, claiming they were forced into participating in the attempted takeover of President Tshisekedi's residence in Kinshasa.
