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U.S. Citizens Claim They Were Forced into Failed Congo Coup Attempt
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1/1/2035
U.S. citizens Marcel Malanga and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, sit in a courtroom in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Two U.S. citizens on trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a failed coup attempt in May testified on Friday, claiming they were coerced into participating under threat of death.
On May 19, armed men briefly seized an office of the presidency in Kinshasa before security forces killed their leader, U.S.-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga. The coup attempt led to the arrest of over 50 individuals, including U.S., British, Canadian, Belgian, and Congolese nationals.
Marcel Malanga, 22, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, spoke for the first time during the trial, held in a military court in Kinshasa. Marcel, the son of the coup leader, asserted that his father had threatened to kill them if they did not comply.
"Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders," Marcel said, denying any involvement in the coup plot.
He explained that he had come to Congo at his father's invitation and had not seen him since 2021.
"I am American, I do not speak French or Lingala," he added.
Zalman-Polun described himself as a long-time business associate of Christian Malanga, involved in mining activities in Swaziland and Mozambique, and claimed he had no knowledge or involvement in planning the coup.
"I met Malanga in 2013. We always had relationships based on mining activities, he had never been so violent," Zalman-Polun told the court.
The defendants face charges including illegal arms possession, criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and attempts to destabilize state institutions, some of which carry the death penalty or lengthy prison sentences.
The trial has been adjourned until Monday, July 8.
