A German woman of Congolese origin was sentencedWednesday to 10 years in prison for an attempted daylight bank robbery in Kinshasa. Honorine Porsche, 37, appeared haggard in the military court as judges found her guilty of armed robbery, a charge she acknowledged.
On October 17, a RawBank branch in downtown Kinshasa became the center of a chaotic standoff with security forces lasting several tense hours. Five people, including Porsche, were arrested inside the bank, while no injuries were reported amid the disorderly confrontation with authorities.
The bank reported roughly $20,000 in cash went missing during the attack and has never been recovered, raising serious financial concerns. Porsche admitted taking the money but claimed it was later stolen by security personnel who raided the bank during the operation.
Following her arrest, social media circulated disturbing videos showing Porsche partially undressed and subjected to sexual abuse by security officers. The images sparked national outrage in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the police’s longstanding reputation for brutality and misconduct.
Porsche remained silent in court Wednesday, telling AFP afterward she did not have “the strength to speak” about the proceedings. Germany’s consul in Kinshasa, Keno Grade, attended the trial but declined to comment on the case or the sentence issued. Her lawyer confirmed Porsche intends to appeal the verdict, potentially extending the legal battle and keeping international attention focused on the matter.