DRC- Three United States citizens initially sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over a botched coup attempt have been repatriated after Kinshasa commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment last week.
Democratic Republic of Congo Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama told journalists that the three men, including the son of political exile Christian Malanga, who led the attack on the Presidential Palace in May last year, would all serve out their life sentences in the US.
One of the convicts, 22 year old Marcel Malanga, claimed that he had been forced to take part by his father, who live-streamed from the Palace during the coup attempt before being shot and killed by Democratic Republic of Congo forces.
Also repatriated were 21 yeal old Tyler Thompson Junior, a friend of the younger Mercial Malanga and 36 year old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, who reportedly got to know the father through a gold mining company.
The US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the transfer saying that the US condemned the armed attacks and supported Democratic Republic of Congo’s bid to hold the convicts accountable, but that it also sought what he called consistent, compassionate, humane treatment and a fair legal process
When the US assumes custody the prisoners convicted abroad, it typically agrees to carry out the sentence of imprisonment designated by that country.
A US-based international human rights attorney, Jared Genser said that lawyers representing the three could try to get their sentences reduced by arguing they signed their consents to the prisoner transfer treaty under duress.
“But it would be very hard to prevail in such a case as there would be enormous implications for other potential transfers in the future if the US failed to abide by such agreements,” Genser said.
The repatriation comes amid efforts by Democratic Republic of Congo Congolese authorities decided to sign a minerals deal with the US in exchange for security support that will help Kinshasa fight Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the country’s conflict-hit east.
US Senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos who visited Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Uganda last week said that the countries were in talks on the issue, adding that it could involve multibillion-dollar investments and the US has estimate that Democratic Republic of Congo has trillions of dollars in mineral wealth.
Mr Boulos, whose son is married to US President Donald Trump’s daughter, is once again set to visit Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss tensions between the country and Rwanda.
News of the trio’s repatriation brought joy to the families as Miranda Thompson, stepmother of Thompson, who claimed had flown to Africa from Utah for what his family believed was a free vacation said that the family was excited to have him return home.
It should be remembered that a total of 37 people were sentenced to death in the purported coup attempt, also including a Belgian, Briton and Canadian but all who are naturalised Congolese nationals and their fate is not immediately clear.
Additional Reporting from Associated Press.
