On Friday, around 50 individuals, including three Americans, appeared in a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo, facing charges related to last month’s attempted coup. Accusations against them include terrorism, attempted assassination, illegal possession of weapons, and financing terrorism connected to the May 19 coup attempt.
The coup, orchestrated by opposition figure Christian Malanga, resulted in six deaths and targeted the presidential palace and an ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. Malanga, who previously resided in the United States, was killed while resisting arrest after live-streaming the attack.
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Malanga’s son, Marcel, along with fellow Americans Tyler Thompson and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, were present at the court in Kinshasa. Human Rights Watch has urged the DRC government to ensure a fair trial, while the US embassy reported it has not yet been granted access to provide consular services to the accused, who have requested translation assistance.
The charges they face could carry the death penalty.
