After being sentenced to death by a military tribunal in September 2024 for their roles in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo, three American citizens have been transferred back to the United States, where they will now serve their sentences.
The group included 21-year-old Marcel Malanga, the son of Congolese opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the attempted overthrow of President Felix Tshisekedi’s government. The coup plotters stormed the presidential palace in Kinshasa, with Christian Malanga broadcasting parts of the operation live on social media. According to Congolese officials, he was killed while resisting arrest. His son, Marcel, later claimed he had been forced by his father to participate in the plot.
Also among those repatriated was 21-year-old Tyler Thompson Jr., a friend of Marcel Malanga from Utah. Thompson’s family said he had traveled to Africa believing he was going on an all-expenses-paid vacation, unaware of the coup plans.
The third American, 36-year-old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, is reported to have had business ties with Christian Malanga through a gold mining venture.
The transfer of the three men back to US custody follows diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa.
“We also strongly condemn the armed attacks of May 19th and support the DRC authorities in holding those responsible appropriately accountable. At the same time, we seek consistent, compassionate, humane treatment and a fair legal process on behalf of those U.S. citizens,” said Tammy Bruce, State Department Spokesperson.
The pardon and repatriation came amid efforts by Congolese authorities to sign a minerals deal with the U.S. in exchange for security support in the fight against rebels in eastern DRC.
Since January, the Congolese armed forces have been struggling to contain a rapid offensive by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group in North and South Kivu provinces
