Prosecutors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have demanded the death penalty for 50 defendants, including three Americans, accused of an alleged coup attempt. Military prosecutor Lt. Col. Innocent Radjabu urged the court to issue the sentence.
The alleged coup took place on May 19, when armed men attacked Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe’s residence, who was later elected head of the National Assembly. They then moved to the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, ex-dictator Mobutu’s regime.
The alleged coup leader, Christian Malanga, a naturalized American, was killed by security forces. His son, Marcel Malanga, and two other Americans on trial claimed they were forced to participate under duress, fearing for their lives.
The trial of the 50 defendants, which includes foreigners such as a Belgian, Briton, and Canadian, began on June 7 in Ndolo military prison. The charges range from terrorism to illegal possession of weapons and financing of terrorism.
The DRC government recently lifted a moratorium on the death penalty, despite international criticism. Lawyers for the American defendants argued their clients were interrogated in French without an interpreter, despite being English speakers.
