A man believed to be British and three Americans could face the death penalty after taking part in a failed coup in Central Africa.
After being arrested while trying to storm the presidential palace on May 19, a military official revealed that they will be treated like any enemy of the state.
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Ezangi Youssouf, who claims to be British, Marcel Malanga, son of the coup leader, his friend Tyler Thompson and marijuana dealer Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun were all detained.
The four are currently being questioned over their involvement in the failed attempt to overthrow the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The interrogation continues,” said Major General Sylvain Ekenge The times.
“After that, they will be tried and handed over to a military court, not the regular court. They must be tried here in Congo.”
The suspension of the death penalty was only recently lifted for convictions linked to the violent conflict in the war-torn east of the country.
Ekenge added that capital punishment applies “in the context of the military and those who take up arms in rebellion”.
Six people were killed during the chaotic coup attempt in the capital Kinshasa, including two police officers guarding the president’s residence and a driver.
The force of about 50 men was led by Utah-based opposition figure Christian Malanga, who was killed while resisting arrest.
The mothers of Marcel Malanga and his football teammate Thompson, both 21, say they are innocent and were tricked into taking part.
However, Major General Ekenge claims that they were still clearly caught with weapons in their hands and fighting alongside Malanga as he proclaimed himself president of the DRC.
Youssouf, who was also described as British by Congolese authorities and lives in London, said Malanga told him the plan had “American support”.
The gunmen live-streamed their short-lived rebellion from the Palais de la Nation.
The attackers filmed themselves waving a flag of Zaire, the name of the DRC at the time of Mobutu Sese Seko, a dictator deposed in 1997.
Malanga was filmed saying: “Long live Zaire, long live Mobutu’s children.
“Felix has fallen… We are victorious.”
A few minutes later, they were confronted by soldiers.
The gunfight lasted more than an hour as rebels clashed with security forces and some were killed in the carnage.
President Tshisekedi and his family were not injured in the violence.
Bullet holes were visible in the walls and cars of the politician’s home and the windows were broken.
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Dramatic footage also captured the moment Marcel Malanga and Thompson, bloodied and bruised, were dragged from a river after trying to swim to free themselves.
School friends of Marcel said they had been approached about holidays in the Congo.
A friend told The Times they were desperate but only offered to take one person at a time.
A friend, Daniel Gonzalez, 22, said he was offered $100,000 to work as the politician’s bodyguard.
“I’m really sad for Tyler and Marcel, but at the end of the day, I can just be grateful that I didn’t go because I would have been stuck in the same scary situation,” he said.
Who was the coup leader Christian Malanga and why did he invade the palace?
WHY did alleged coup leader Christian Malanga lead a coup in Congo?
Malanga was a wealthy businessman, politician and former military officer in the Congolese army.
He became an American citizen after his family was granted political asylum there when he was a child.
He protested against parliamentary elections in the DRC in 2011 and was arrested during the government of former president Joseph Kabila.
After his release, he went to the USA and founded an opposition party – the United Congolese Party (UCP).
Over the years, he has campaigned for religious freedom in Africa and led anti-corruption training for young Africans living in Europe.
Authorities said he attempted another scam in 2017.
During this attempt, he shouted “New Zaire!” from inside the Palace.
The DRC was called Zaire until 1965.
He told the camera: “We, the militants, are tired. We cannot continue with Tshisekedi and Kamerhe, they have done many stupid things in this country.”
President Tshisekedi was re-elected in December last year, following a vote that opposition groups considered lacking legitimacy.
He has not yet formed an official government.
Malanga was shot dead and “neutralized” during the violent confrontation that unfolded with the Congolese police.
Marcel, who grew up leading a seemingly normal life in Utah, is now trapped in the African country.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
