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The trial of 51 individuals, including three Americans, accused of attempting to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, began yesterday. The proceedings, broadcast live on national TV and radio, are held at N’dolo military prison in Kinshasa.
The defendants, wearing blue-and-yellow shirts, were arrested during attacks on the presidential palace and the home of an ally of President Tshisekedi. They face charges of financing terrorism, murder, and attempted assassination. The US State Department reported it has not been given access to the American detainees.
The failed coup on May 19 resulted in six deaths, including suspected leader Christian Malanga. Arrests followed at the Palais de la Nation and the residence of Vital Kamerhe, the parliamentary speaker.
The assailants were linked to the New Zaire Movement, led by Malanga, a formerly exiled politician with US citizenship.
His son, Marcel Malanga, and 21-year-old Tyler Thompson are among the US nationals detained. Thompson's family expressed shock over his involvement, citing videos showing him being beaten by Congolese security forces.
Other defendants include a Congolese-Belgian national and a Canadian citizen originally from DR Congo. An investigation is ongoing into alleged executions by soldiers who thwarted the coup.
