Prosecutors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday called for the death penalty for 50 defendants, including three Americans, who are accused of participating in a coup attempt in May.
Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu, the military prosecutor, urged judges to sentence all but one of the defendants to death. The alleged plot targeted Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe and involved attacks on his home and the presidential offices.
The accused, armed with weapons and waving flags of the former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, were stopped by security forces. The leader of the alleged plot, Christian Malanga, a naturalized American, was killed during the incident.
During the trial, several defendants claimed they were forced to participate by Malanga. The three American defendants, including Malanga’s son, have denied any involvement and claimed they were coerced.
Defense lawyers have criticized the prosecutors’ call for the death penalty as “very severe” and have complained about the treatment of their clients, including lack of adequate legal representation.
The trial is ongoing, with the defense set to present its case on Friday. The defendants face a range of charges, including terrorism, attempted assassination, and illegal possession of weapons.