The three Americans convicted for their role in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo were sent home to continue their prison sentences.
Three Americans Convicted in DR Congo Coup Returned to US for Prison Sentences
Three Americans Convicted in DR Congo Coup Returned to US for Prison Sentences
Three individuals convicted of participating in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been repatriated to the United States to continue serving their sentences.
The three Americans were sentenced by a military court for their involvement in an attempted coup last year. Initially facing the death penalty, each had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment. Following diplomatic discussions between the US and DRC regarding the country's vast mineral resources, the repatriation of Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin was facilitated, illustrating a growing judicial cooperation between the nations. The group was accused of attacking high-profile locations associated with President Félix Tshisekedi and claimed innocence regarding the charges of terrorism and conspiracy. The transfer occurred in compliance with legal protocols, and while there is ongoing dialogue about the treatment of the convicts, experts suggest their sentences are unlikely to be altered in the US.
