A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 37 individuals, including three Americans, to death in connection with a failed coup attempt. The verdict was announced on September 14, 2024, concluding a high-stakes trial that began in June.
The failed coup attempt occurred on May 19, when armed insurgents, led by opposition figure Christian Malanga, targeted critical government facilities. The attack began with an assault on the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe and quickly moved to the Palais de la Nation, where President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices are located. Congolese security forces intervened, resulting in Malanga’s death as he resisted arrest.
The three Americans convicted—Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun—were found guilty of involvement in the attack. Marcel Malanga’s family claims he was merely following his father, who had claimed to lead a shadow government in exile. Thompson’s family insists that he traveled to Africa for a vacation and had no prior knowledge of any political activities.
The court’s decision also saw 14 defendants acquitted. Lt. Col. Innocent Radjabu, the military prosecutor, had advocated for the death penalty for nearly all those convicted, save for one individual with mental health issues. This recommendation reflects the seriousness with which the court viewed the coup attempt.
In response to escalating violence, Congo reinstated the death penalty earlier this year after a long-standing suspension. The ruling signals the government’s commitment to tackling political violence and maintaining stability.
