DR Congo Hands Over Americans Jailed Over Failed Coup Attempt.
Three United States citizens who were sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for their involvement in a failed coup attempt have been repatriated to the US after their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
The handover was confirmed on Tuesday by Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama, who stated that the trio — including Marcel Malanga, the son of coup leader and political exile Christian Malanga — will now serve their life sentences in the United States.
The coup attempt, which occurred in May 2024, saw Christian Malanga lead an armed assault on the presidential palace in Kinshasa. He live-streamed the incident before being fatally shot by Congolese security forces. His 21-year-old son, Marcel, later claimed he had been coerced into participating by his father.
Also returned to the US were 21-year-old Tyler Thompson Jr, a friend of Marcel Malanga, and 36-year-old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, who reportedly became acquainted with Christian Malanga through a gold mining venture.
US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the men’s return and reiterated America’s condemnation of the attempted coup. “The United States condemns all forms of armed attacks and supports the DRC’s right to hold those responsible to account,” she said. “At the same time, we remain committed to advocating for consistent, compassionate and humane treatment, as well as a fair legal process for all US citizens abroad.”
The decision to commute the sentences and repatriate the prisoners comes amid ongoing diplomatic cooperation between Kinshasa and Washington, and may signal a broader commitment to upholding human rights while maintaining national sovereignty and justice.
