SALT LAKE CITY — 4 American citizens have pleaded no longer to blame to prison fees in federal courtroom in Utah after government stated they conspired to degree a violent coup in Congo that failed.
3 of the defendants have been charged previous this month following their go back to the USA from Congo, the place the loss of life sentences they confronted have been commuted previous to their repatriation. Amongst them is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of opposition determine Christian Malanga, who led the coup strive that focused the presidential palace in Kinshasa.
A fourth guy in Utah alleged by means of prosecutors to be a professional in explosives is charged with helping the plot.
Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun have been ordered to stay in custody after pleading no longer to blame all the way through a joint courtroom look on Thursday.
The alleged explosives skilled, Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, gave the impression one by one and used to be additionally ordered to stay in custody after coming into a no longer to blame plea. Prosecutors say he equipped explosives coaching and directions at his Utah house and contributed guns.
The Might 2024 coup strive aimed to overthrow Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. A minimum of six other people, together with Christian Malanga, died when armed males in camouflage fatigues led an assault at the houses of the president and a deputy high minister.
The 4 American citizens are charged with crimes together with conspiracy to make use of guns of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb govt amenities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap individuals out of the country. They face long jail sentences if convicted.
The 3 American citizens who traveled to Congo have been amongst 37 other people sentenced to loss of life remaining September by means of an army courtroom in Congo for his or her position within the coup strive.
Moesser’s legal professional, Adam Merrill, declined remark. Lawyers for Malanga, Thompson and Zalman-Polun may no longer be reached in an instant for remark by means of telephone or e-mail.
