A British man has been sentenced to death after being convicted of participating in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Youssouf Ezangi, a 53-year-old UK citizen of Congolese descent, was among six foreign nationals handed the harshest penalty by a military court.
One Canadian, a Belgian, and three US citizens were also found guilty of attempted coup, terrorism, and criminal association. The failed attempt to oust elected President Félix Tshisekedi resulted in the deaths of six people.
The coup’s leader, Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces shortly after livestreaming the attack on the presidential palace on May 19. His 21-year-old son, Marcel, one of the US citizens, claimed his father coerced him and a friend into participating.
Several participants and Malanga’s mother echoed this claim, stating that the young men were innocent. The younger Malanga and his friend were offered a significant sum of money to join the coup attempt.
The DRC reinstated the death penalty earlier this year, raising hopes for an appeal by the convicted individuals. Their lawyer, Richard Bondo, has vowed to challenge the decision. He also claimed that the defendants were not provided with adequate interpreters during the investigation.
Foreign Office officials have urged the DRC to drop plans to execute Mr. Ezangi. They have made representations about the use of the death penalty to the highest levels of the Congolese government.
