US, British citizens among suspects on trial in Congo after thwarted coup
All 53 face charges including illegal arms possession, criminal conspiracy, terrorism and attempts to destabilise state institutions and undermine the integrity of the state.
More than 50 defendants, including six with US, British, Canadian or Belgian citizenship, appeared in court in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday charged with taking part in a failed coup and other offences that carry the death penalty.
Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces.
More To Read
- Congo, Rwanda submit draft peace plan as US pushes for deal tied to mining investment
- Returning farmers face land disputes, hardship in rebel-held eastern DR Congo
- Africa's diplomatic setback: How external powers took over the Rwanda-DRC peace talks
- DRC and Rwanda sign declaration of principles in Washington, paving way for historic peace deal
- Former DRC President Joseph Kabila returns to Goma via Kigali
- Rwanda grants SADC troops safe passage from DR Congo conflict zone
The defendants include Malanga's 22-year-old son Marcel Malanga, two other US citizens and the three other holders of foreign passports. All have Congolese roots.
The first day of the military trial took place under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The defendants filed in wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops and lined up before the judge.
All 53 face charges including illegal arms possession, criminal conspiracy, terrorism and attempts to destabilise state institutions and undermine the integrity of the state, some of which risk the death penalty or lengthy prison sentences.
The defendants were identified in court, and charges read, but they were not asked to enter a plea.
Congo lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in March, citing treachery and espionage in recurring armed conflicts as the reason.
Richard Bondo, a lawyer for one of the US detainees, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, told Reuters it was too soon to talk of possible extradition, and the presumption of innocence applied.
Top Stories Today
- 800,000 more Kenyans turn to Fuliza in 2024 as economic pressure bites
- State pays Sh70 million to wildlife conflict victims in Laikipia
- Counties, KPLC clash over fibre revenues and unpaid wayleave charges
- Kenya Power adds 134,630 rural users but sees first revenue dip since 2020
- Mandera leaders visit Banisa to de-escalate tension following killing of six family members
- State pours Sh2.8 billion into affordable housing research
- Interior CS Murkomen allays fears of increased Al-Shabaab attacks
- Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine to seek presidency, chides West over rights
- Financing peacebuilding likely to feature in UN's architecture review this year
- Ruku orders probe into NYS procurement process amid allegations of embezzlement of Sh2bn
- Were's murder case: Why LBDA director Ebel Ochieng is seeking magistrate's recusal
- Government leases four state-owned sugar mills to private firms for 30 years
- Bodyguard, driver were in contact with MP Charles Were’s killers- Police
- Politician Philip Aroko detained for seven days in probe into Were's murder
- Rights group seeks to join suit targeting police officers who conceal identity during operations
- Mwilu had no power to appoint bench in Gachagua impeachment case, court rules
- High Court bars police from investigating extra-judicial killings, abductions
- Were murder case: High Court orders Aroko to be produced on Monday
- Parastatals merger: 3,100 jobs at risk as Treasury plans retirement offers
- Ruto moves to end ‘hakuna dawa’ with Sh10bn boost to KEMSA
