DRC coup plot convictions: Marcel Malanga’s defense to appeal death sentence

A high-profile trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) concluded last Friday with 37 of the 51 accused sentenced to death for their involvement in a failed coup attempt.

Among those condemned is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of the late Christian Malanga. His defense team has already announced plans to appeal the verdict.

Marcel Malanga’s legal counsel, led by lawyer Sylva Mbikayi, is preparing to challenge what they describe as an excessively harsh judgment.

“A Severe Verdict”

“We intend to appeal this decision, which we believe is extremely severe and influenced by several factors that suggest the court’s bad faith,” said Mbikayi.

Despite the outcome, he remains hopeful for a more favorable result in the appeal process. “We still hope for a more lenient outcome, including the acquittal of our client.

He’s a 22-year-old young man who came to Congo to visit his father, with no knowledge of the situation he found himself caught up in. We believe we have a strong chance of presenting a successful appeal,” the lawyer added.

From the defense’s perspective, Marcel Malanga was deeply disappointed by the court’s ruling, as he did not anticipate receiving the maximum penalty.

However, like his legal team, he holds onto the hope that the appeal process will offer a different result.

Defense’s Criticism of the Court

Mbikayi expressed frustration with the court’s decision, stating that the tribunal ignored key evidence presented by the defense, particularly the mitigating circumstances they argued in an attempt to counter the prosecution’s charges.

Instead, the court heavily relied on the accusations brought forward.

“We demonstrated that there was no criminal involvement on the part of our client.

There was never any prior agreement between Marcel Malanga and his deceased father to orchestrate a coup attempt,” the lawyer argued.

The failed coup, which shook the DRC on May 19, 2024, saw 51 individuals brought before the court.

Out of these, 37 were sentenced to death, 13 were acquitted, while one individual, Alain Tikimo, was exempted from the death penalty due to established insanity.

As the defense prepares to appeal the ruling, the case continues to captivate public attention, raising questions about justice and the future of those convicted in this complex political drama.