Prosecutors Demand Death for Americans in Congo Coup Attempt

Military prosecutors in Congo have called for the death penalty for 50 individuals, including three Americans, over an alleged coup attempt earlier this year. Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu urged the judges to sentence all but one defendant, who has psychological issues, to death.

The trial, which began in June, involves charges such as terrorism, murder, and criminal association. These charges stem from a failed coup in May led by opposition figure Christian Malanga. The attack targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, resulting in six deaths.

Americans Involved in the Coup Attempt

Christian Malanga was killed while resisting arrest after live-streaming the attack on social media. His 21-year-old son Marcel Malanga, a US citizen, is among those on trial. Marcel's mother, Brittney Sawyer, claims her son is innocent and merely followed his father.

Tyler Thompson Jr., also 21 and from Utah, is another American facing trial. He travelled to Africa with Marcel Malanga for what his family thought was a vacation funded by Christian Malanga. Thompson's family insists he had no knowledge of the coup plans and intended only to visit South Africa and Eswatini.

Connections and Allegations

The third American on trial is Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36. He reportedly knew Christian Malanga through a gold mining company established in Mozambique in 2022. This connection was detailed in an official Mozambican journal and a report by the Africa Intelligence newsletter.

Authorities reinstated the death penalty earlier this year to combat escalating violence and militant attacks. This move ended a moratorium that had been in place for over two decades.

During the trial, it was revealed that other teammates accused Marcel of offering up to USD 100,000 for joining him on a "security job" in Congo. Thompson's stepmother stated that he had no plans for political activism or entering Congo.

The defendants face severe penalties if convicted, reflecting Congo's stringent measures against perceived threats to national security. The case continues to draw international attention due to the involvement of American citizens.

The Congolese army maintains that Christian Malanga considered himself president of a shadow government in exile. His actions have led to significant legal repercussions for those allegedly involved.

This high-profile case underscores the complexities of international involvement in domestic conflicts and the severe consequences faced by those accused of participating in such activities.

The outcome of this trial will likely have lasting implications for Congo's legal system and its approach to handling similar cases in the future.