Three American citizens were sentenced to death in Congo after being convicted of participating in a coup attempt orchestrated by Marcel Malanga’s father, Christian Malanga. The attack targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, resulting in six deaths. Marcel Malanga stated in court that his father threatened to kill him and his high school friend if they did not follow his orders. Other members of the militia involved in the coup recount similar threats from Christian Malanga, with some being deceived into thinking they were working for a volunteer organization. Marcel’s mother insists her son is innocent and was simply following his father, who considered himself the president of a shadow government in exile.
Tyler Thompson Jr., another U.S. citizen involved in the coup attempt, flew to Africa from Utah with Marcel Malanga for what his family believed was a free vacation. Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, the third American involved, was reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company. Thompson’s family claims he had no knowledge of the elder Malanga’s intentions and did not plan to enter Congo, as they were meant to travel only to South Africa and Eswatini. The families of the three Americans are calling for support and urging people to write to their congressmen to help bring them home.
In addition to the three Americans, a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian were also sentenced to death for their involvement in the coup attempt, along with 27 others. The State Department spokesperson stated that they are aware of the situation and are following the legal process closely. Embassy staff have been attending the court proceedings, and the families of the Americans involved are working with senators like Mike Lee and Mitt Romney to seek assistance from the State Department. The lawyer representing the three Americans plans to appeal the verdict, citing concerns over the fairness of the court process.
Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun were convicted of participating in the coup attempt orchestrated by Marcel’s father, Christian Malanga. Christian Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest soon after live-streaming the attack on social media. Testimonies from Marcel and others involved in the militia reveal that they were threatened by Christian Malanga to participate in the attack. Some members were deceived into thinking they were working for a volunteer organization and were unaware of the true intentions behind the coup attempt.
The families of Thompson, Malanga, and Zalman-Polun are heartbroken over the verdict and are calling for support to bring the Americans back home. Thompson’s family claims he had no knowledge of the coup attempt and had no plans for political activism. While the three Americans, along with a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian, were sentenced to death, there are concerns over the fairness of the court process. The State Department is closely monitoring the situation, and embassy staff have been attending the court proceedings.
The lawyer representing Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun plans to appeal the verdict, and senators like Mike Lee and Mitt Romney are engaged with the State Department to seek assistance for the Americans involved in the coup attempt. The families of the three Americans are urging people to write to their congressmen for support in bringing them home. Six people were killed during the botched coup attempt, with Christian Malanga being killed while resisting arrest. The State Department is closely following the legal process in Congo and will continue to attend the court proceedings to monitor the developments in the case.
