3 US Citizens Sentenced To Death For Involvement Of Failed Coup In Congo

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Three citizens of the United States (US) were sentenced to death by a military court for involvement in a failed coup in May in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gunmen briefly occupied the presidential office in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congo politician Christian Malama, was killed by security forces.

His son, Marcel Malaka, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel's friend, Tyler Thompson, who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s.

The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, is Christian Malama's business partner.

The three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism and other charges, and sentenced to death based on a decision read out on live TV.

As reported by Reuters on Saturday, September 14, Malaka previously told the court his father threatened to kill him unless he participated.

He also told the court it was the first time he had visited Congo at his father's invitation, which he had not seen for years.

Americans were among about 50 people, including citizens of Britain, Canada, Belgium and Congo, who were tried following the failed coup.

A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death. The verdict was read under a tent in the Ndolo military prison yard on the outskirts of Kinshasa.

The defendants sat in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison tops.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said embassy staff attended the process and would continue to follow developments.

"We understand that the legal process in Congo allows the defendant to appeal the court's decision," he said.

The 37 defendants were Belgian-Kongo citizen Jean-Jacques Wondo.

Wondo's family released a video message addressed to Congo President F\'elix Tshisekedi ahead of the trial asking for his release.

"I beg you, step in, he is innocent," said Nathalie Kayembe Wondo, his wife, in the message.