Congo Court Sentences 3 Americans and 34 Others to Death for Coup Attempt
In a shocking turn of events, a military court in Congo has handed down death sentences to 37 individuals, including three Americans, for their involvement in a coup attempt. The defendants, mostly Congolese nationals but also including a Briton, Belgian, and Canadian, have been found guilty of charges that include attempted coup, terrorism, and criminal association. The verdict was delivered in French by presiding judge Maj. Freddy Ehuma, who imposed the harshest penalty of death.
The trial, which began in June, resulted in the conviction of 37 individuals, while 14 were acquitted. The defendants have five days to appeal the verdict, challenging the decision on the basis of inadequate interpreters during the investigation of the case. Richard Bondo, the lawyer who represented the six foreigners, disputed whether the death penalty could be imposed in Congo at the time, despite its reinstatement earlier in the year.
The coup attempt, led by the little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga, resulted in the deaths of six people. Malanga, who was fatally shot while resisting arrest, had streamed the attack on social media. Among those convicted in the coup attempt were the 21-year-old son of Christian Malanga, Marcel Malanga, who is a U.S. citizen, as well as two other Americans. Marcel Malanga claimed in court that his father had threatened to kill him and his friend if they did not participate in the attack.
The other Americans involved in the coup attempt were Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, who had traveled to Africa with Marcel Malanga, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, who reportedly knew Malanga through a gold mining company. The families of the American defendants maintain their innocence and express shock over the verdict.
The U.S. State Department has been following the case closely, with spokesman Matthew Miller stating that the federal government is aware of the verdict. Despite the legal process in Congo allowing for appeals, it is unlikely that U.S. officials will intervene to negotiate the Americans’ return. Embassy staff have been attending the proceedings, and the families of the defendants are devastated by the outcome.
In response to the verdict, the families of the American defendants have called for assistance in bringing them home. Utah Senators Mitt Romney and Mike Lee have expressed sympathy for the families and vowed to continue working with the State Department to receive updates on the case. The reinstatement of the death penalty in Congo earlier this year has raised concerns about the country’s approach to justice and human rights.
As the families of the defendants await the outcome of the appeal process, they are hopeful that justice will prevail and their loved ones will be spared from the ultimate punishment. The complex legal proceedings and international implications of the case highlight the challenges faced by those caught in the crosshairs of political turmoil and conflict.