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 ...
I’m guessing death would have been more merciful.
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.
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.
Just what is this huge black blob?
A narrow escape. The Natives had the 5ft tall cauldron filled with water, and already boiling.
Hmm
Ok, thanks. So is he one of the three?
Looks like Christopher Walken to me.
He must have said that line in a movie.
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.
Something that I can’t remember is how I learned they were looking for mercenaries.
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