Military Court in Kinshasa Prosecutes Americans Alongside Dozens of Defendants Over Botched Coup”
KINSHASA, CONGO — Three Americans appeared before a military court in Kinshasa on Friday, accused of participating in last month’s coup attempt targeting the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. The trial, held in an open-air court and broadcast live, also includes dozens of other defendants.
The Coup Attempt and Its Aftermath
The botched coup, led by the lesser-known opposition figure Christian Malanga, resulted in six deaths. Malanga, who live-streamed the attack on social media, was fatally shot after resisting arrest. His 21-year-old son, Marcel Malanga, a U.S. citizen, along with two other Americans, is among those facing charges that could lead to the death penalty, including terrorism and murder.
Court Proceedings and Translation Issues
During the initial court session, the defendants, including Marcel Malanga, requested translation services from French to English. However, the court-appointed translator and a subsequently chosen journalist struggled with accurate interpretation, causing frustration among the defendants.
Background and Personal Stories
Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, traveled to Africa from Utah, reportedly under the pretense of a vacation funded by the elder Malanga. Thompson’s family, who had no prior confirmation of his well-being, expressed relief upon learning of his appearance in court.
Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, another American on trial, has a history of legal issues in the U.S. and connections to Christian Malanga through a gold mining venture in Mozambique.
Prominent Belgian-Congolese researcher Jean-Jacques Wondo also appeared in court, though the evidence against him remains unclear. Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of Wondo if credible charges are not presented.
Concerns and Next Steps
Families of the American defendants are crowdfunding to support legal expenses and travel to Congo for future court dates, expressing concerns over their sons’ health conditions. The trial is set to continue next Friday, with the defendants facing severe charges under Congo’s military justice system.
