Three Americans have been sentenced to death for their roles in a failed coup attempt in Congo, one of whom testified in court that his father, who led the coup, had threatened to kill him if he did not follow orders.
Lawyers representing Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson Jr., both 21, and Benjamin Ruben Zalman Porn, 36, who were killed in a botched attack in May by Malanga's father, Christian Malanga, on the presidential palace and close associates of President Felix Tshisekedi, will now appeal the sentence.
“We are aware that a military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced several defendants, including a U.S. national, to death for their alleged involvement in the May 19 attack against the government,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Friday. “We understand that the legal process in the Democratic Republic of Congo allows defendants to appeal the court's sentences. Embassy officials are attending these trials. We will continue to attend trials and monitor developments closely.”
Asked whether he thought the court process had been fair, Miller said: “We're still in the legal process so I'm not going to pass judgment on the process so far.”
Americans involved in Congolese coup plot form unlikely group
From left, Benjamin Reuben Zalman Porn, Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson, all American nationals, attended the sentencing at a court in Kinshasa, Republic of the Congo, on Friday, September 13. (AP/Sammy Ntumba Shambui)
Congo's army said six people were killed in the failed coup attempt, including Christian Malanga, who was shot dead while resisting arrest shortly after live-streaming the attack on social media.
Suspect Marcel Malanga, a U.S. citizen, said in court that his father forced him and a high school friend to take part in the attack, according to the Associated Press.
“My father threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders,” Marcel Malanga was quoted as saying.
Other members of the motley militia said they received similar threats from Malanga, some of whom said they were tricked into thinking they worked for volunteer groups, according to the Associated Press. Marcel's mother, Brittney Sawyer, maintains her son is innocent and was simply following his father, who sees himself as president of a shadow government in exile.
Flashback: Congo not allowing contact with Americans arrested in coup attempt, embassy says
American Marcel Malanga (fourth from the right) stands with others during the sentencing in court on Friday. (AP/Sammy Ntumba Shambui)
Thompson Jr. flew from Utah to Africa with his son Malanga on what the family believed was a free vacation, and Zalman Porn reportedly met Christian Malanga through a gold mining company.
Thompson's family says he had no knowledge of Malanga's intentions, had no plans for political activity and no plans to enter Congo. He and Malanga had only planned to travel to South Africa and Eswatini, his stepmother, Miranda Thompson, told The Associated Press.
“We ask everyone who has supported Tyler and his family through this trial to write their lawmakers and ask for their help in bringing him home,” Utah attorney Sky Lazarus told the news agency, adding that the family was heartbroken by the verdict.
Spokespeople for Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney said they were both in discussions with the State Department about the matter.
On June 7, 2024, weapons and military uniforms used by the defendants were displayed at the first hearing of the coup attempt at N'Dolo Prison in Kinshasa. (Arsene Mpiana/AFP via Getty Images)
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In addition to the three Americans, a British man, a Belgian man and a Canadian were sentenced to death along with 27 others for their roles in the conspiracy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
