DR Congo seeks death penalty for 50 accused in 'coup' trial, including three Americans

The defendants, whose trial opened in June, face charges including terrorism, murder and criminal association

GOMA, DR CONGO:

Prosecutors called on Tuesday for 50 defendants, including three Americans, on trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo over an alleged coup bid to face the death penalty.

Military prosectuor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu urged judges to sentence to death all those on trial over the alleged attempted coup in May, barring one defendant.

Armed men attacked the home of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the early hours of May 19 before moving onto the nearby Palais de la Nation that houses President Felix Tshisekedi's offices.

The army later announced an attempted coup had been stopped by the security forces.

The alleged plot was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and who was killed by security forces, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge has said.

Among those being tried in the Kinshasa military court are three Americans, including Malanga's son Marcel Malanga.

The defendants also include a Belgian, a Briton and a Canadian who are all naturalised Congolese.

The trial began on June 7 in Ndolo military prison, where all the defendants are being held.

The charges include "attack, terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and munitions of war, attempted assassination, criminal association, murder (and) financing of terrorism", according to a court document.