In Congo, three United States citizens were sentenced to death for their involvement in a failed coup

On Friday, a military court sentenced 37 defendants to death for their involvement in a failed rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May. Three of these defendants are U.S. citizens.

On May 19, armed men briefly occupied the presidency office in the capital, Kinshasa, before their commander, Congolese politician Christian Malanga, who was based in the United States, was killed by security forces.

Tyler Thompson, Marcel’s high school football teammate in Utah, and his son, Marcel Malanga, were among the Americans on trial. Both individuals are in their twenties.

Benjamin Zalman-Polun, the third American, was a business associate of Christian Malanga.

In a ruling that was broadcast live on television, all three were convicted of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges. They were subsequently sentenced to execution.

Malanga had previously disclosed to the court that his father had issued a death threat if he did not participate. He also informed the court that he was visiting Congo for the first time at the invitation of his father, whom he had not seen in years.

Approximately 50 individuals, including U.S., British, Canadian, Belgian, and Congolese citizens, are currently on trial in the aftermath of the failed rebellion. The Americans are among them.

A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to execution.

The verdict was announced in the yard of Ndolo military prison, which is situated on the periphery of Kinshasa, beneath a tent. The defendants were situated in front of the judge, and they were wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops.

July marked the commencement of the trial.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department in Washington, stated that embassy personnel had participated in the proceedings and would continue to monitor them attentively.

“We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court’s decision,” he indicated during a briefing.

Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese citizen, is among the 37 defendants. Prior to the prosecution, Wondo’s family distributed video messages to Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, requesting his release.

“I implore you to intervene; he is innocent,” stated Nathalie Kayembe Wondo, his wife, in the message.

Requests for comment were not responded to by the relatives of Marcel Malanga and Thompson.

Brittney Sawyer, Marcel Malanga’s mother, has previously declared that her son is blameless.

Miranda Thompson, Thompson’s stepmother, has previously stated that her stepson traveled to Congo during his vacation to explore the globe.

According to the fundraising website established by Thompson’s family to assist with his defense, he is experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness while incarcerated.