A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has delivered a death penalty to 37 individuals, including three Americans, for their involvement in a failed coup in May.
The court’s president, Freddy Ehume, pronounced the harsh sentencing on live television, including charges of criminal association, attack, and terrorism. The defendants, which also included a Briton, Belgian, and Canadian, have five days to appeal the verdict. The trial, which began in June, saw 14 individuals acquitted.
Richard Bondo, the lawyer for the six foreigners, plans to challenge the decision on appeal, raising concerns about language barriers and the current legality of the death penalty in the DRC.
The attempted coup in Kinshasa involved the brief occupation of a presidency office by armed men, led by US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, who was killed during the takeover. Malanga, known for his political aspirations and anticorruption efforts, was associated with the opposition United Congolese Party.
This sentencing in the midst of political turmoil highlights a troubling trend of coups in the region, with Human Rights Watch emphasizing the need for fair trial standards. The DRC’s recent resumption of the death penalty further complicates the legal landscape in this case.