In a recent development, three American citizens who were sentenced in the Congo for their involvement in a failed coup attempt in 2022 have been transferred back to the United States to serve life sentences. This follows the commutation of their initial death penalties. According to a statement from Congo’s presidency, the Americans were repatriated with the cooperation of the U.S. Embassy, and they departed Congo on Tuesday morning.
While the U.S. State Department acknowledged their transfer to American custody, further details remain sparse as the Department of Justice has not disclosed additional information. International law experts suggest that the United States is likely to uphold the life sentences without reduction.
Among the convicted individuals is 21-year-old Marcel Malanga, the son of Christian Malanga, a political opposition figure who orchestrated the coup targeting the presidential palace in Kinshasa. During the coup attempt, Christian Malanga was killed while resisting arrest, according to Congolese authorities, and his son Marcel claims he was coerced into participating.
Also returning to the U.S. are Tyler Thompson Jr., also 21, who allegedly traveled to Africa believing he was on a complimentary vacation, and 36-year-old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, who reportedly knew the elder Malanga through a gold mining enterprise.
The repatriation coincides with ongoing negotiations between Congolese and U.S. authorities aimed at finalizing a minerals agreement alongside discussions on security support. Such talks could potentially lead to multi-billion dollar investments, as the U.S. assesses Congo’s extensive, largely untapped mineral resources.
Congo’s presidency described the move as part of an effort to strengthen judicial diplomacy and international cooperation on justice and human rights issues between the two nations.
This return has elicited an emotional response from their families. Miranda Thompson, Tyler Thompson’s stepmother, expressed profound relief and gratitude for having him back on American soil. The Thompson family acknowledged the support received from the U.S. government and their wider social network.
Thompson’s attorney, Skye Lazaro, has announced plans to explore all legal options related to his U.S. detention, though she admits to having limited information on upcoming procedures.
Typically, when the United States takes custody of foreign-convicted prisoners, it honors the originating country’s sentencing terms. However, legal advocates might argue for sentence reduction if the imprisonment consent was forced, though this is seen as a challenging proposition.
The failed coup attempt led to numerous convictions involving individuals from a variety of nationalities, with charges ranging from terrorism to illegal possession of weapons. Questions remain about the eventual outcomes for these others involved.
Congo reinstated the death penalty last year amid efforts to curb ongoing violence and insurgent activity, reversing a suspension that had stood for over two decades. Reports indicate that during their imprisonment, the Americans faced harsh conditions, including inadequate living arrangements and struggling with health issues while detained in a military prison in Kinshasa.