Congo Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for 50, Including Three Americans, in Failed Coup Case

The call for capital punishment was made on Tuesday by Military Prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu, who urged the judges to impose the death sentence on all but one of the defendants, citing the individual's psychological issues.

The defendants, who have been on trial since June, face charges ranging from terrorism to murder and criminal association, all of which are punishable by death under Congolese law. The charges stem from a botched coup attempt in May, allegedly orchestrated by Christian Malanga, a relatively unknown opposition figure. The coup, which targeted the presidential palace and a close associate of President Felix Tshisekedi, resulted in the deaths of six people.

The Coup Attempt and Its Fallout

The coup attempt, which was live-streamed on social media by Malanga, ended in his death as he reportedly resisted arrest. The Congolese army has since described the coup as a serious threat to national security, leading to a broad crackdown on those allegedly involved.

Among the accused are three Americans, including 21-year-old Marcel Malanga, the son of the coup's leader, and Tyler Thompson Jr., also 21, who traveled from Utah with Marcel. Marcel’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, maintains that her son is innocent, arguing that he was merely following his father, who saw himself as the president of a shadow government in exile.

Thompson’s family contends that he was unaware of Christian Malanga’s political ambitions and had no intention of participating in any coup. They assert that Thompson believed he was on a vacation, planned to visit only South Africa and Eswatini, and had no plans to enter Congo.

The third American, 36-year-old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, is alleged to have connections with Christian Malanga through a gold mining venture in Mozambique. Reports suggest that Zalman-Polun's involvement with Malanga dates back to the establishment of the company in 2022.

A Return to the Death Penalty

This high-profile trial comes as Congo reinstates the death penalty, lifting a moratorium that had been in place for over two decades. The decision to reinstate capital punishment is part of the government’s broader effort to curb escalating violence and militant activities in the country. The call for the death penalty in this case has drawn significant international attention, particularly due to the involvement of American citizens.

As the trial progresses, human rights organizations and international observers are closely monitoring the proceedings, expressing concerns over the fairness of the trial and the potential implications of reinstating the death penalty in Congo.

The case has cast a spotlight on the complex interplay between politics, justice, and human rights in Congo, as the government grapples with internal security threats and international scrutiny.