Alleged coup plotters stand trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
KINSHASA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Some 50 men, including three American citizens, who were accused of being involved in last month's coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Friday stood trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC.
They face charges of terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and arms of war, attempted assassination, criminal association, murder, and financing of terrorism, according to a statement published by the Gombe garrison military court Thursday.
According to Sylvain Ekenge, the DRC military spokesman, the attackers initially wanted to attack the residences of Judith Suminwa, who was nominated in early April by President Felix Tshisekedi as the new prime minister, and then-defense minister Jean-Pierre Bemba, but could not "identify the home" of the first and "did not find" the second at home.
A "coup attempt" led by little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga was "nipped in the bud," on early May 19, according to the DRC military. Six people, including Malanga himself, were killed.
The putschists attacked the residence of Vital Kamerhe, then vice-prime minister, before breaking into the Palace of the Nation, where the offices of President Tshisekedi are located.
Marcel Malanga, the son of Christian Malanga, who was born in Utah, the United States, and two other Americans stood trial which was broadcast live on DRC national television (RTNC).
The attackers, dressed in military uniforms and displaying the Zaire flag, claimed in video clips circulating on social media that they wanted to "change things in the management of the Republic." Zaire, officially the Republic of Zaire, was the name of the DRC from 1971 to 1997.
Christian Malanga formed the United Congolese Party in 2010 and advocated for the return of Zaire. In 2017, He created a government in exile in Brussels, Belgium, giving birth to the so-called "New Zaire." ■
An alleged coup plotter stands trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
A lawyer of an alleged coup plotter speaks before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
Alleged coup plotters stand trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
An alleged coup plotter stands trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
An alleged coup plotter stands trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
Alleged coup plotters stand trial before a military court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 7, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)