37 Sentenced to Death in Congo Coup Attempt

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 37 individuals, including three Americans, a British citizen, a Belgian, and a Canadian, to death for their involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Félix Tshisekedi in May. The court, presided over by Major Freddy Ehume, cited charges of terrorism, criminal association, and attempted coup, with the verdict delivered during a live broadcast. Among the sentenced was Marcel Malanga, the son of the alleged coup leader Christian Malanga, who was killed by security forces during the attack. The defendants have five days to appeal the verdict, which has drawn criticism from human rights groups for lack of transparency. The failed coup resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including two police officers. Despite the death penalty being reinstated earlier this year, it has not been enforced in the DRC for approximately two decades.