In the Democratic Republic of Congo, prosecutors have called for the death penalty for 50 defendants, among them three Americans, over an alleged coup attempt as reported by the army.
During the trial, Military prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu urged judges to consider the death penalty for all those involved in the May coup attempt, with the exception of one defendant.
The incident involved an attack on the home of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, who was subsequently elected as the head of the National Assembly three days after the attack on May 19.
The group of armed individuals then proceeded to the Palais de la Nation, where President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices are located, carrying flags of Zaire, the former name of the country during the regime of ex-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko who was ousted in 1997.
At the time of the incident, gunshots were reported near the building by several sources.
A spokesperson for the army later announced on national television that the defense and security forces had thwarted “an attempted coup d’etat.”
The alleged mastermind behind the plot, Christian Malanga, a Congolese individual who held American citizenship, was killed by security forces, according to Army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge.
During interrogations, those arrested near the Palais de la Nation shifted blame onto Malanga.
Meanwhile, others detained in different locations within the capital Kinshasa, among them four women, have denied any involvement in the alleged coup attempt.
Richard Bondo, a defense attorney representing one of the American defendants, expressed that the prosecution’s request for the death penalty was deemed as “highly severe.”
The defense team is scheduled to present their case on Friday.
• ‘Forced’ to Participate –
Among the three Americans facing trial at the Kinshasa military court is Marcel Malanga, the son of the alleged mastermind.
Tyler Thompson, another American defendant, stated during the trial last month that he was coerced into participating, echoing the sentiments of the other two US citizens facing similar charges.
He further mentioned, “I traveled to the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) to meet Marcel’s family, whom I had never met before.”
Malanga also testified in court that he was compelled by his father to participate in the events, stating, “He threatened to harm us if we didn’t comply.”
According to the third American on trial, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, he was also abducted and coerced into involvement.
In a move that defied criticism from human rights organizations, the Congolese government lifted the moratorium on the death penalty imposed since 2003 back in March.
The defendants comprise not only Americans but also a Belgian, a Briton, and a Canadian who have all acquired Congolese citizenship.
The trial commenced on June 7 at the Ndolo military prison, where all the accused are currently housed.
The charges leveled against the individuals include offenses such as attack, terrorism, illegal possession of weapons, attempted assassination, criminal association, murder, and financing of terrorism, as per court records.
In a separate case earlier this month, a military court in DRC sentenced all 26 defendants accused of being associated with the M23 rebel group to death following a well-publicized trial.
AFP.