Three Americans repatriated to the United States from Congo have been charged by the U.S. Justice Department with orchestrating a sophisticated coup attempt aimed at overthrowing the African nation’s government. Additionally, a fourth man, alleged to be a bomb-making expert, has also been charged for aiding the plot.
The complaint stems from a series of allegations that led to three of the defendants being detained in Congo and subsequently receiving death sentences, which were later commuted to life imprisonment. The Justice Department’s investigation revealed that the men provided training, weapons, equipment, and other support to a rebel army that was formed to overthrow the government last year.
Among the accused is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, the son of opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the foiled coup attempt targeting the presidential palace in Kinshasa. Christian Malanga, who livestreamed from the palace during the attempt, was later killed while resisting arrest by Congolese authorities.
The goal of the plot, according to prosecutors, was to establish a new government known as the New Zaire and install Christian Malanga as its president. Marcel Malanga identified himself as the “Chief of Staff of the Zaire army” and played a leadership role in the rebel forces, as per court documents.
Initially sentenced to death, defendants Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson (22), and Benjamin Zalman-Polun (37) had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment before being repatriated to the U.S. They were set to appear in court in Brooklyn. Joseph Peter Moesser (67), another defendant, was scheduled to appear in Salt Lake City as well.
The FBI’s thorough investigation culminated in these charges, shedding light on the elaborate coup attempt orchestrated by the accused individuals. The legal proceedings in the U.S. will determine the fate of the defendants and shed further light on the intricacies of the plot to overthrow the government of Congo.
