A MILITARY court in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced 37 people, including three US citizens, to death on Friday for their involvement in a failed coup earlier this year. The convicts faced charges of criminal association, terrorism, and financing terrorism.
Among those sentenced were three other foreign nationals—one from the UK, one from Belgium, and one from Canada.
The trial, which began in July, centred around a night raid and attempted coup in May, led by opposition figure Christian Malanga. The coup plot involved an attack on both the presidential palace and the residence of Vital Kamerhe, the President of DR Congo’s National Assembly.
Malanga was shot dead while resisting arrest shortly after live-streaming the assault on social media, according to the Congolese military.
Among those sentenced to death is 21-year-old Marcel Malanga, the son of the slain coup leader, and one of the three US citizens convicted in the case.
Fourteen of the defendants were acquitted, and all of those sentenced have five days to file an appeal.
The court’s decision has drawn international attention due to the involvement of foreign nationals, particularly the three US citizens.
