A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo handed down death sentences to 26 individuals on Thursday, according to reports.
Among the condemned is Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the former head of the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), and several of his associates.
The group was convicted on charges of conspiring against the state, war crimes, and participation in an insurrection movement.
However, 21 of the convicted, including Nangaa, are currently at large. Nangaa is also the leader of the Congo River Alliance group (AFC), a political-military movement launched last December.
Lawyers representing the defendants have expressed concerns over the limited time granted for defense preparations.
Additionally, Nangaa has been openly linked to rebel groups such as the M23, which is accused of various crimes against the Congolese government.
It is important to note that the Democratic Republic of Congo reinstated the death penalty in March of this year.
The implications of these verdicts and the ongoing situation with the convicted individuals will undoubtedly continue to be a focus of regional and international attention.