The appeal process for 37 individuals sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began on Thursday.
In September, a total of 51 people faced trial for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in May. This coup attempt reportedly began with an armed assault on the home of then-economy minister Vital Kamerhe, who now serves as the national assembly president.
During the appeal, those sentenced appeared in yellow and blue prison uniforms. Each person was called to the front of the court to confirm their identity before the judges.
Among the 37 sentenced individuals were three Americans, alongside a Belgian, a Briton, and a Canadian, all of whom held Congolese nationality. The majority of those sentenced were found guilty of charges including criminal association, attack, and terrorism.
The alleged coup attempt unfolded in the early hours of May 19. Armed men attacked Kamerhe’s home before advancing toward a building that houses the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi, brandishing flags reminiscent of the Zaire era under former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire near the presidential office building during the incident. An army spokesperson later announced on national television that the defense and security forces had thwarted an attempted coup d’état.
General Sylvain Ekenge, the army spokesman, stated that the alleged plot was orchestrated by Christian Malanga, a Congolese national with U.S. citizenship, who was killed during the confrontation. Among those on trial is Malanga’s son, Marcel Malanga.