Americans On Trial In Congo For Alleged Coup Involvement

Marcel Malanga, center, sits in court in Kinshasa with 52 other defendants Friday June 7, 2024, accused of a role in last month's attempted coup in Congo led by his father, little-known opposition fig

Three Americans are currently facing trial in a military court in Kinshasa, Congo, for their alleged involvement in last month's attempted coup. The botched coup, led by opposition figure Christian Malanga, resulted in six deaths and targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi.

The defendants, including Malanga's 21-year-old son Marcel Malanga, are facing charges such as terrorism, murder, and criminal association, many of which carry the death penalty. Two other Americans, Tyler Thompson Jr and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, are also on trial for their roles in the attack.