One Briton and three Americans were among 37 people sentenced to death on Friday for plotting to overthrow the Democratic Republic of Congo's president.
On May 19, six people were killed in an attempted coup led by opposition leader Christian Malanga that targeted the presidential palace and close associates of President Felix Tshisekedi.
The armed men first attacked the home of Parliament Speaker Vital Kamerhe in Kinshasa and then briefly took over the presidential palace, before security forces killed Malanga, a Congolese politician living in the United States.
The Congolese army said Malanga was shot after resisting arrest shortly after live-streaming the attack on social media.
The defendants, who also include a Belgian, a Canadian and several Congolese nationals, can appeal their sentences on charges including terrorism, murder and criminal conspiracy. Fourteen were acquitted in the trial that began in July.
The three Americans convicted are Malanga's son, Marcel Malanga, 21, Tyler Thompson Jr. and Benjamin Zalman Porn.
Marcel told the court his estranged father had threatened to kill him if he didn't take part, and said he was visiting the country for the first time at his father's invitation after not seeing him for years.
The court previously heard that Thompson, 21, flew from Utah to Africa with Marcel on what the family believed was a holiday, with all expenses paid for by Malanga.
The two played football together at high school in Salt Lake City, and another teammate had accused Marcel of offering him $100,000 to join him in a “security job” in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Thompson's family say they had no knowledge of Malanga's intentions, his plans for political activity or his intention to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo, and that they understood the journey to be to South Africa and Eswatini.
Zalman Porn, 36, was Christian Malanga's business partner.
No official details were available about the Briton, but he is reported to also hold Congolese nationality.
A spokesman for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are providing consular support to a British man detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are in liaison with authorities there.”
“We have made representations at the highest levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo about the use of the death penalty and will continue to do so.”
The verdict was read out on live television in the courtyard of N'Dolo military prison, on the outskirts of Kinshasa.
The Democratic Republic of Congo in March ended a 21-year moratorium on executions and reinstated the death penalty as authorities struggled to curb violence and extremist attacks.
The Justice Ministry said at the time that the 2003 ban had allowed criminals accused of treason and espionage to get away with it without adequate punishment.
