Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Death sentence overturned for three Americans over DR Congo coup attempt
BBC ^ | 04/2/2025 | Wycliffe Muia

Posted on 04/02/2025 12:31:00 PM PDT by BenLurkin

Three Americans convicted for their role in a failed coup in Democratic Republic of Congo last year have had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, the presidency has said.

They were among 37 people sentenced to death last September by a military court.

The three were accused of leading an attack on both the presidential palace and the home of an ally of President Félix Tshisekedi last May.

The overturning of the sentences comes ahead of a visit to DR Congo by the newly appointed US senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos.

Boulos, father-in-law to President Donald Trump's daughter, Tiffany, is expected to arrive in Kinshasa on Thursday on a trip that will also take him to Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.

The US has not declared the three Americans to be wrongfully jailed in DR Congo but the State Department said previously there have been talks between the countries over the matter.

The three were convicted of criminal conspiracy, terrorism and other charges, which they denied.

The attempted coup began in the capital, Kinshasa, in the early hours of 19 May, when armed men first attacked parliamentary speaker Vital Kamerhe's home, before heading to the president's official residence in the capital.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 202405; 20240519; 202504; africa; congo; coup; demrepublicofcongo; drc; felixtshisekedi; ftshisekedi; kenya; kinshasa; massadboulos; rwanda; tiffany; tshisekedi; uganda; vitalkamerhe; wycliffemuia

1 posted on 04/02/2025 12:31:00 PM PDT by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

I’m guessing death would have been more merciful.


2 posted on 04/02/2025 12:32:15 PM PDT by Husker24 (Pp)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Husker24

As I recall, Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare, former British soldier and mercenary, was given 20 years in prison for his part in a failed attempt to take over the Seychelles Islands many years ago. I believe the total was reduced and Mike ended up living to age 99 or 100 or so. He had some lively times.


3 posted on 04/02/2025 12:38:11 PM PDT by desertsolitaire
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Husker24
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. The Dogs of War
4 posted on 04/02/2025 12:39:59 PM PDT by desertsolitaire
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

If anyone remembers that Angola debacle of the early 70s, I had talked to my wife about answering a recruiting call for that job and she was against it, this one sounds similar.


5 posted on 04/02/2025 12:40:52 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: desertsolitaire

Just what is this huge black blob?


6 posted on 04/02/2025 1:07:27 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

A narrow escape. The Natives had the 5ft tall cauldron filled with water, and already boiling.


7 posted on 04/02/2025 1:14:17 PM PDT by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

Hmm


8 posted on 04/02/2025 1:22:48 PM PDT by desertsolitaire
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: desertsolitaire; SkyDancer


9 posted on 04/02/2025 1:38:55 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Ok, thanks. So is he one of the three?


10 posted on 04/02/2025 2:04:26 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

Looks like Christopher Walken to me.

He must have said that line in a movie.


11 posted on 04/02/2025 2:08:09 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: ansel12

I was there late 70’s on a tanker to pick up crude oil from a submarine hose. Half a dozen officials came aboard into my office. Mostly Angolans, one Cuban.


12 posted on 04/02/2025 4:26:40 PM PDT by Cold Heart (It's a good time to be ashamed to be a democrat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Cold Heart

Something that I can’t remember is how I learned they were looking for mercenaries.


13 posted on 04/02/2025 6:15:25 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson