Suspects in DRC 'coup' trial mistreated, lawyers say

The alleged coup attempt took place on May 19 when armed men attacked the home of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe before attacking the building housing the offices of President Félix Tshisekedi.

US nationals Marcel Malanga and Taylor Christian Thomson, both 21, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, are among 51 people accused by the Congolese army of participating in the coup.

Their lawyers said the minutes of the hearings were written without the assistance of interpreters, even though the defendants speak English and the hearings were held in French.

Thomson's defense indicated that he had filed a civil suit, denouncing acts of “inhuman and degrading treatment” during his arrest, referring to videos of the accused undressed widely distributed on social networks.

The lawyers of Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Congolese-Belgian, requested “provisional release for health reasons”.

Wondo is “diabetic and hypertensive”, but since his arrest, he has been forbidden to take his medication, “which is suicidal”, explained his lawyer Peter Ngomo.

The trial opened on June 7 at the Ndolo military prison where all the accused are detained.

At the first hearing, Judge Freddy Ehume told the court that the actions of the three Americans were “punishable by death.”

The next hearing will take place on Tuesday.

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