A failed coup attempt on 19 May 2024 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) led to a lawsuit against 51 individuals accused of damaging the country’s reputation. The defendants, including foreigners, are facing legal action for R4.7 billion in damages, with demands for compensation from civilian victims. The accused are among 800 people on death row due to treason charges.
- The DRC government blames the coup plotters for tarnishing the country’s image.
- Civilian victims seek compensation from the accused.
- The defendants are facing the maximum penalty and are part of a larger group on death row.
State prosecutors claim that the failed coup caused both moral and material harm to the DRC. The accused appeared in a military court in Kinshasa this week, with the National Bar Association president highlighting the irreversible damages. The trial reveals the intricate details of the coup plot, involving both local and foreign individuals, with compensation demands adding complexity to the legal proceedings.