Benjamin Zalman Polun, Marcel Malanga and Taylor Thompson, American citizens suspected, along with a group of over fifty other people, to be involved in an attempted coup in Congo, wait for the beginning of their trial in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 7, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/Justin Makangara) via TJP
Three US citizens, on trial for their role in a failed coup in Democratic Republic of Congo, have been sentenced to death by a military court on Friday.
According to The Jerusalem Post, armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces.
His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel’s friend Tyler Thompson who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s.
The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was a business associate of Christian Malanga.
All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism and other charges, and sentenced to death in a ruling read out on live TV.
Why were they reportedly involved in the coup attempt?
Malanga had previously told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also told the court it was his first time visiting Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he hadn’t seen in years.
The Americans are among around 50 people, including US, British, Canadian, Belgian and Congolese citizens, standing trial following the failed coup.
The verdict was read out under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa.
The defendants were seated in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops.
The trial began in July. – TJP
Share your thoughts on the story Three US Citizens Sentenced To Death In Congo with Nigerian Kicker in the comments section.
