Military Court in Congo Sentences 37 to Death, Including Three Americans, Over Alleged Coup Attempt

In a surprising turn of events, a military court in Congo delivered death sentences to 37 individuals on Friday, marking one of the more intense legal outcomes in recent memory. Among those condemned were three Americans, along with citizens from Britain, Belgium, Canada, and several Congolese nationals—all convicted of charges tied to an alleged coup attempt. The list of accusations was weighty, including terrorism, murder, and criminal association, leaving a stark impression of the government’s stance on dissent.

37 defendants including US, Canadian, and a British citizen have been sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in Democratic Republic of Congo. pic.twitter.com/qcyRfkX5fR

— Apex World News (@apexworldnews) September 14, 2024

The court’s decision came after months of trial proceedings that began in June, and while the defendants do have the option to appeal, the severity of the sentencing still cast a shadow over the courtroom. A small breath of relief for some—14 others were acquitted, managing to avoid the harsh penalties. But the story that led up to this climactic moment was far more complex than the verdict alone.

At the center of the turmoil was a man named Christian Malanga, a relatively obscure opposition figure whose attempt at overthrowing the government ended tragically. His attempt to storm the presidential palace, which took place in May, was over almost as soon as it began—six people were killed, and Malanga himself was shot dead while reportedly resisting arrest. Even in the chaotic final moments, Malanga live-streamed the assault, giving the world a direct, albeit brief, view of his ill-fated coup.

Yet, Malanga’s death didn’t end the story. His son, Marcel Malanga, only 21 and a U.S. citizen, was among those caught up in the aftermath. Alongside Marcel, two other Americans found themselves enmeshed in this sudden web of violence and political unrest. Their names—Tyler Thompson Jr., from Utah, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, aged 36—now tied to a coup attempt in a far-off land, a situation their families insist was never part of their plans.

37 People, Including 3 Americans, Sentenced To Death Over Coup Attempt In Congo

A military court in Congo has sentenced three Americans and 34 others to death after convicting them on charges of taking part in a coup attempt.

A military court in Congo has sentenced three… pic.twitter.com/nl80qPfPQU

— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) September 15, 2024

Marcel’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, has been vocal in defending her son. To her, Marcel was just following his father’s lead—unaware of the gravity of the situation he had walked into. His father, Christian Malanga, had long harbored aspirations far from reality, declaring himself president of a shadow government in exile. That illusion had now come crashing down, leaving his son in the debris.

Tyler Thompson Jr.’s story reads much differently, though. His family describes his trip to Africa as a vacation—a simple excursion to South Africa and Eswatini. Congo wasn’t even part of the itinerary, according to his stepmother, who expressed shock at his involvement in this saga. They believe Tyler had no idea of Christian Malanga’s intentions, let alone that he would be swept up in a political maelstrom.

And then there’s Zalman-Polun, a 36-year-old with connections to Malanga through a gold mining company based in Mozambique, according to reports. The company, founded just a year ago, had its own ties to African ventures, yet there remains little clarity on how Zalman-Polun ended up embroiled in this coup attempt.

The finality of the military court’s sentence hit hard, made more poignant as it was broadcast live to an audience that could only imagine the emotions swirling in that open-air courtroom. The military prosecutor, Lt. Col. Innocent Radjabu, had urged for these death sentences, framing them as necessary for all involved—except for one defendant, who was deemed to suffer from mental health issues.

37 people have been sentenced to death for participating in a attempted coup d’etat back in May in the Congo.

The failed coup attempt was led by Congolose-American citizen Christian Malanga and son Marcel seen on the picture. pic.twitter.com/Dm5sDQxtRS

— Levi 🇨🇩 (@UBGK12) September 15, 2024

The political landscape in Congo has been turbulent for years, with violence often spiraling out of control. Earlier this year, in a move that alarmed human rights advocates, Congo reinstated the death penalty, reversing a moratorium that had lasted for more than two decades. The decision came as the government faced increasing pressure to crack down on insurgencies and violent uprisings, struggling to find control amid the chaos. And now, that reinstated penalty has led to its most visible outcome yet—37 lives hanging in the balance, with appeals as the only potential escape.

The case raises as many questions as it answers. How did Americans—two of whom were seemingly unaware of what was happening—find themselves in the middle of a coup attempt half a world away? And in a country where political tensions run high, how will the world respond to this harsh verdict handed down in Congo’s open-air military courts?

Major Points

• A military court in Congo sentenced 37 individuals, including three Americans, to death for charges related to an alleged coup attempt, with accusations of terrorism, murder, and criminal association.
• The trial centered around Christian Malanga, an opposition figure who led a failed attempt to storm the presidential palace in May, resulting in his death and the capture of others, including his son, Marcel Malanga.
• The Americans sentenced include Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, whose families maintain they were unaware of the coup plot or its severity.
• The court’s verdict follows Congo’s reinstatement of the death penalty earlier this year, signaling a harsh crackdown on political dissent and violence.
• The case leaves unanswered questions about how foreign nationals became embroiled in the coup attempt, as appeals remain the only avenue for avoiding execution.

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News