Two US citizens, including Marcel Malanga, the 22-year-old son of the coup leader, are on trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their alleged role in a May coup attempt.
Marcel denied any involvement in planning the coup, as did the second US citizen, Benjamin Zalman-Polun; Marcel stated he had come to Congo to visit his father for the first time since 2021.
“Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders,” Marcel told the court, noting his unfamiliarity with the local languages and the country.
The two are among other individuals, citizens from the US, UK, Canada, Belgium, and Congo, who are on trial following the failed coup. The trial potentially will result in severe punishments, including the death penalty or long prison sentences.
Nevertheless, Zalman-Polun, a long-time business associate of Christian Malanga, maintained his innocence.
"I met Malanga in 2013 through our business dealings in mining activities in Swaziland and Mozambique. He had never been so violent," Zalman-Polun said.
The trial was delayed until Monday, July 8.
An attack on the presidential palace and home of Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe in DR Congo occurred on May 19. The attack was led by US-based Christian Malanga, a vocal opponent of the government and a prominent member of the Congolese diaspora in the US. The attack resulted in the deaths of six people, including Malanga, and dozens of arrests.