The verdict for the trial of 51 individuals accused of participating in a coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be announced on September 13, as communicated by a lawyer representing one of the defendants to AFP on Tuesday.
Fifty-one individuals, including three US citizens, are facing allegations related to the events that unfolded on May 19, when armed individuals attacked the residence of the DRC’s Deputy Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe.
Following the initial attack, the group proceeded to a building that housed President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices while carrying Zaire flags, the country’s former name, during ex-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko’s regime, which was ousted in 1997.
Subsequently, an army spokesperson announced on national television that the defence and security forces had thwarted “an attempted coup d’etat”.
According to Ckines Ciamba, the lawyer representing one of the Americans, the military court has committed to issuing the verdict on September 13, as reported by AFP.
In late August, military prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu recommended that all but one of the defendants be sentenced to death. However, nine defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The alleged plot was orchestrated by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who held American citizenship and was killed by security forces, as stated by army spokesperson General Sylvain Ekenge.
The three American defendants on trial at the Kinshasa military court include Malanga’s son, Marcel Malanga.
During the court session last month, Tyler Thompson, another American defendant, claimed he had been “coerced” into participating, echoing the sentiments of the other two US citizens facing the same charge.
The defendants also include a Belgian, a Briton, and a Canadian, who have all been naturalised as Congolese citizens.
The trial commenced on June 7 at the Ndolo military prison, where all the defendants are detained.