More than 50 defendants, including six with U.S., British, Canadian or Belgian citizenship, appeared in court in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday charged with taking part in a failed coup and other offences that carry the death penalty. The defendants include Malanga's 22-year-old son Marcel Malanga, two other U.S. citizens and the three other holders of foreign passports. The first day of the military trial took place under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The defendants were identified in court, and charges read, but they were not asked to enter a plea. Congo lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in March, citing treachery and espionage in recurring armed conflicts as the reason.

Source: Daily Nation June 08, 2024 04:41 UTC