Facing Justice: Accused coup plotters stand trial in Congo’s high-profile case
The trial, which began in June, involves charges of terrorism, murder, and criminal association, among others.The defendants are accused of participating in a botched coup led by Christian Malanga, who was fatally shot during the attack. Malanga’s son, Marcel, a US citizen, and two other Americans, Tyler Thompson Jr. and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, are among those on trial.
Prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu urged the judges to impose the death penalty on all defendants except one, who suffers from “psychological problems,” citing the severity of the crimes.The failed coup attempt resulted in six deaths and targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. The incident occurred in May, and Malanga was killed soon after live-streaming the attack on his social media.
Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company set up in Mozambique in 2022. This year, Congo brought back the death penalty after a ban of over 20 years as the government tries to stop the growing problem of violence and militant attacks.
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