The appeal process for 37 individuals sentenced to death following an alleged coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began on Thursday.
The trial, which took place in September, involved 51 people accused of participating in the May coup attempt.
Among those sentenced were three American citizens, as well as individuals from Belgium, Britain, and Canada.
All but one of the convicted were found guilty of criminal association, attack, and terrorism.
The coup attempt began in the early hours of May 19 when armed men attacked the home of then-economy minister Vital Kamerhe.
They subsequently proceeded to a building housing President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices.
The DRC government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in March, citing the need to address armed rebellion in the country’s eastern region.
Several rights groups have denounced the convictions and called for the death sentences to be commuted.
The next appeal hearing is scheduled for October 18.