Congo military court sentences 37, including 3 Americans, to death for coup attempt

A military court in Congo has sentenced 37 individuals, including three Americans, to death for their involvement in a coup attempt. The trial, which began in June, resulted in 14 acquittals. Among the convicted are Marcel Malanga, a U.S. citizen, and his two companions, Tyler Thompson Jr. and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun. Marcel's mother claims her son was coerced into participating by his father, who believed he was leading a shadow government. The U.S. State Department is aware of the verdict but has not classified the Americans as wrongfully detained, which limits the possibility of diplomatic intervention. The families of the convicted Americans are devastated, asserting that their loved ones were unaware of any political motives behind the trip to Africa. The military prosecutor had sought the death penalty for all defendants, citing a recent reinstatement of capital punishment in Congo as part of efforts to combat rising violence. The situation has raised concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals in the Congolese legal system, especially given the harsh penalties imposed in politically charged cases. As the legal process allows for appeals, the families remain hopeful for a different outcome, while the U.S. government continues to monitor the situation closely.