Three American citizens convicted for their involvement in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have been transferred to the United States to serve the remainder of their life sentences. The men Marcel Malanga Malu, Tyler Thompson, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, were sentenced to death in September 2023 by a military court, but their sentences were officially commuted to life imprisonment last week.
The transfer was confirmed by DR Congo’s presidency, which stated the move followed “strict compliance with legal procedures” and was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial diplomacy and international cooperation on justice and human rights. The three men were escorted from Kinshasa’s N’Djili International Airport on Tuesday and are now in U.S. custody.
According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the repatriation was coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. While the details of the prisoner transfer agreement were not made public, legal analysts suggest it is highly unlikely that the men will be released or have their sentences reduced.
The Americans were among 37 individuals sentenced to death following an attack in May 2023 that targeted both the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of President Félix Tshisekedi. The suspected leader of the operation, Christian Malanga—a U.S. citizen of Congolese origin and father of Marcel Malanga—was killed during the attack, along with five others. The group was convicted on charges including criminal conspiracy and terrorism, which they denied.
Other foreign nationals, including a Briton, Belgian, and Canadian, were also convicted in the coup attempt, but it remains unclear whether their sentences will be commuted or if they will be eligible for repatriation.
Earlier this year, Jean-Jacques Wondo, a dual Congolese-Belgian citizen also sentenced to death, was transferred to Belgium on health grounds.
This development comes amid closer U.S.-Congo relations, with ongoing discussions around multibillion-dollar investments in Congo’s vast mineral wealth. The central African nation is rich in resources such as coltan and cobalt, critical materials for electronics and electric vehicle batteries, currently dominated by Chinese firms.
During a recent visit by a senior adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump, both nations confirmed ongoing talks to deepen cooperation on resource development.
While condemning the attack, the U.S. government has emphasized the importance of fair legal processes and humane treatment for the detainees. The State Department reiterated its commitment to supporting DR Congo’s pursuit of justice while also safeguarding human rights.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the Congolese government has agreed to compensate damages caused during earlier embassy protests, though U.S. officials have not commented on this matter.
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