37, Including 3 Americans, Sentenced to Death for Failed Coup in Congo

37, Including 3 Americans, Sentenced to Death for Failed Coup in Congo

A military court in Kinshasa, Congo, sentenced 37 people to death on Friday, including three Americans, for their involvement in an attempted coup. The court convicted the group on charges of terrorism, attempted coup, and criminal association, following a trial that began in June.

While most of the defendants were Congolese, others included individuals from the U.S., Britain, Belgium, and Canada. They have five days to appeal the verdict, which was delivered by presiding judge Maj. Freddy Ehuma. Fourteen others were acquitted.

The coup attempt, which targeted the presidential palace in May, was led by opposition figure Christian Malanga, who was killed during the operation. Six people died in the failed uprising. Among those sentenced is Malanga’s son, Marcel, a U.S. citizen, who claimed his father had forced him and a friend to participate.

Defense lawyer Richard Bondo questioned the validity of the death penalty in Congo, despite its recent reinstatement, and criticized the lack of proper interpretation during the trial. He announced plans to appeal the ruling.