US Citizens Sentenced to Death in Congo Coup
Three US Citizens Sentenced to Death
A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has sentenced three US citizens to death for their role in a failed coup in May. The sentences were handed down on Friday, with all three US citizens found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges.
The Coup
Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, on May 19 before their leader, Christian Malanga, a US-based Congolese politician, was killed by security forces.
The Americans on Trial
The three US citizens on trial were:
- Marcel Malanga, the son of Christian Malanga
- Tyler Thompson, a friend of Marcel Malanga and a high school football teammate from Utah
- Benjamin Zalman-Polun, a business associate of Christian Malanga
All three were in their 20s and were sentenced to death in a ruling read on live TV.
Previous Statements
Malanga had previously told the court that his father threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also said it was his first time visiting the Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he had not seen in years.
Thompson’s family released statements claiming his innocence, with his stepmother, Miranda Thompson, saying he traveled to the Congo on vacation to explore the world.
Malanga’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, has previously said her son is innocent.
The Trial
The trial began in July and was held 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.
International Reaction
In Washington, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said embassy staff had attended the proceedings and would continue to follow developments closely.
"We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court’s decision," he said.
Conclusion
The sentencing of the three US citizens to death is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the failed coup in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who were the three US citizens sentenced to death?
- Marcel Malanga, the son of Christian Malanga, Tyler Thompson, a friend of Marcel Malanga and a high school football teammate from Utah, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, a business associate of Christian Malanga.
- What were they found guilty of?
- Criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges.
- What is the legal process in the DRC for defendants?
- Defendants can appeal the court’s decision.
