Three Americans Convicted to Their Role in a Failed Coup in Congo Last Year’s Sent Home To Serve The Rest of Their Jail Terms.
The Three Were Originally Sentenced to Death by A Military Court Before Their Sentences Were Commuted to Life in Prison Last Week.
US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce Said The Three Were “in Our Custody”.
The Repatriation Comes As the US and Dr Congo Explore A Deal to Exploit The Central African Country’s Huge Mineral Wealth Wealth.
Last Week, US President Donald Trump’s Senior Adviser for Africa Visited Dr. Congo and Congo
DR Congo Has Large Deposits of Coltan and Cobalt, Used in Electronic Equipment and Batteries Electric Cars, What Are Currently Extracted by Chinese Mining Companies.
The Three American Convicts – Tylor Thomamin Pole Benjamin – Left Dr Congo On Their Serve Their Sentences in the US, Said Congolese Presidential Spokesperson Tina Salama.
They was escorted to n’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa “Strict Compliance With Legal Procedures”, Said Dr Congo’s Presidency.
The Transfer “is part of the Dynamic Strengthening Judicial Dipper and International Cooperation of Justice And Human Rights” Between Dr. Congo and The US, The Presency Added.
The Americans Were Among 37 People Sentenced to Death Last September by A Military Court.
Jean-Jacques Wondo, a dual congolese and Belgian Citizen Who Was Also Sentenced to Death, Was in February Transfer to Belgium Because of Ill-Health.
It is not Clear IF The Other Convicts, Who Include a Briton, A Belgian and A Canadian National, Commuted to Their Sentences.
There Accused of Leading An Attack on Both The Presidential Pace and The Home of Ally Of President Félix Tsherci Last May. Later they were convicted criminal conspiracy, terrorism and other Charges, which they denied.
The Suspected Leader Of The Plot, Christian Malanga, A National Of Congolese Origin, Was Killed During The Attack, Along With Five Oters. Hi Son, Marcel Malanga Malu, Is Among Those Sent Home On Tuesday.
Details of the Prisoner Transfer Were Not Immediately Clear BUT The State Department Said It Was Aware Of The Repatriation With The US Embassy in Kinshasa, The Dr Congo Capital.
The Department of State Spokesperson Said The US Candemned The Armed Attacks And Supported Dr Congo’s Bid To Accountable, But She Also Sought “Consistent, Compassionate, Humane Legal Process”.
Joseph Szlavik-A lobbyist Working for The Congolese Government, Told Reuters News Agency That It Agreed to the Damage Caused Protesters Who Attacked The US Earlier This Year. The US Officials Are Yet to Comment On The Matter.
