37 individuals including three Americans, a Briton, a Belgian and a Canadian were sentenced to death by a military court in the DR Congo for their involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Félix Tshisekedi‘s government.
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The attempted coup took place on May 19, 2024 in Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital. Armed men launched two consecutive attacks, first on the home of parliamentary speaker Vital Kamerhe and later on the presidential palace.
The DR Congo coup was led by Christian Malanga, a US-based Congolese politician and military figure. Malanga, who styled himself the President of New Zaire, had previously served as a military captain in the Congolese army before moving to the United States.
During the DR Congo coup attempt, Christian Malanga was killed in an exchange of gunfire with security forces as he resisted arrest. His death was live-streamed on his social media.
The military trial involved 51 individuals in total, resulted in death sentences for 37, while 14 were acquitted.
The 21-year-old son of Christian Malanga, Marcel was one of the three US nationals sentenced to death. He had told the court that he was coerced into joining the coup by his father, who threatened to kill him if he refused.
A close friend of Marcel’s, Thompson flew to DR Congo from Utah, reportedly under the impression that he was going on a vacation to South Africa and Eswatini.
His family maintained that Thompson had no knowledge of Malanga’s coup plot. The third US citizen sentenced to death, Zalman-Polun was a business associate of Christian Malanga. His role in the coup attempt involved financial backing and logistical support for the operation.
A British national of Congolese origin, Ezangi was charged with recruiting participants for the coup. He was among those sentenced to death.
A Belgian national and researcher on regional politics and security. Wondo’s defense argued that there was little evidence connecting him to the coup, yet he was still given the death penalty.
Another individual of Congolese origin who held Canadian citizenship was among the foreigners sentenced.
The defendants faced charges of terrorism, murder and criminal association. The death penalty was handed down for their involvement in the failed coup and attack on the presidential residence.
The trial began in June 2024 and was closely followed by both local and international media. It was broadcast live on national television and radio.
Marcel Malanga testified that his father had forced him to join the plot and this was his first visit to DR Congo. Thompson’s family claimed they had no idea about the political nature of his trip to Africa, thinking it was a casual vacation.
The verdict was read on September 13, 2024 in the yard of Ndolo military prison in Kinshasa. The court president, Freddy Ehume delivered the sentences on live television, stating that the convicted individuals were guilty of criminal association, attack and terrorism.
Fourteen defendants were acquitted of any involvement in the plot. The court found insufficient evidence to link them to the attempted coup.
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Richard Bondo, the lawyer representing the six foreign nationals expressed concerns over the fairness of the trial. He questioned whether the death penalty could legally be imposed, given that it had not been carried out in DR Congo for over two decades.
Additionally, Bondo said that his clients had inadequate interpretation services during the investigation.
The defendants have five days to appeal the death sentences. Their legal teams are expected to challenge the verdict given international outcry over the use of the death penalty in such cases.
The US State Department acknowledged the verdict with a spokesperson confirming that the federal government was aware of the court’s decision.
US Embassy staff had been attending the proceedings throughout the trial. The State Department has not declared the Americans as wrongfully detained.
US Senators Mitt Romney and Mike Lee from Utah, where Thompson’s family resides have been in communication with the State Department, though no official statement has been made pushing for the release of the Americans.
Tyler Thompson Jr.’s family addressed that he had no knowledge of any coup attempt or political involvement, believing his trip to Africa was purely for vacation purposes. His stepmother stated that they had no intentions of even entering the DR Congo.
Marcel’s mother, Brittney Sawyer maintained her son’s innocence, asserting that he was simply following his father, who had styled himself as the leader of an alternative Congolese government in exile.
She has been raising funds to support her son in prison, where he suffers from a liver disease and has been living in substandard conditions.
After more than 20 years under a moratorium, the DR Congo reinstated the death penalty in early 2024, amidst rising violence and insurgent activity across the country.
The decision to reintroduce capital punishment has criticism from international human rights organizations, but the government says that it is a necessary deterrent in light of the escalating militant attacks and political unrest.
The DR Congo’s legal code allows the president to designate the method of execution, with firing squads having been used in previous cases involving militant offenses.
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