Congo Military Court Sentences 37 to Death in Coup Trial

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 37 people to death for their alleged roles in a coup attempt on May 19. The defendants, including three Americans, have five days to appeal the verdict. The trial, which opened in June, resulted in the acquittal of 14 people. The coup attempt, led by opposition figure Christian Malanga, resulted in the deaths of six people, including Malanga, who was killed by security forces. The defendants were convicted of charges including criminal association, attack, and terrorism. The verdict was announced by court president Freddy Ehume, who stated that the court had pronounced the harshest sentence, the death penalty.