Three Americans convicted in a failed 2024 coup attempt in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been repatriated to the United States after their death sentences were reduced to life in prison.
The office of the president of the DRC posted photos on Tuesday of the individuals heading to their plane ride to the U.S. The U.S. Embassy also confirmed that the three were handed over into American custody.
Condamnés à la peine de mort pour des faits hautement répréhensibles, en date du 27 janvier 2025, par la Cour Militaire de Gombe/Kinshasa, les prévenus Marcel Malanga Malu, Taylor Christa Thompson et Zalman Polun Benjamin Reben ont bénéficié de la commutation de leurs peines… pic.twitter.com/wiiNQzRlf5
— Présidence RDC 🇨🇩 (@Presidence_RDC) April 8, 2025
The three men — Marcel Malanga, 22, Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37 — were arrested after an armed attack on Congo’s presidential palace in Kinshasa. The assault, led by Malanga’s father, political exile Christian Malanga, left at least six people dead. Christian Malanga was shot and killed during the confrontation.
In September 2024, the three Americans were among 37 individuals sentenced to death by a military tribunal. The group also included foreign nationals, such as a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian.
Their families welcomed the men’s return. Miranda Thompson, Thompson’s stepmother, told the Associated Press: “We’re so excited to have him on American soil again.” The Thompsons also extended their thanks for the support they received from the U.S. government, family, and friends.
Meanwhile, the Congolese government described the repatriation as part of efforts to strengthen international cooperation on justice and human rights.
The transfer came days after U.S. envoy Massad Boulos met Congolese officials in Kinshasa. Talks focused on a possible minerals deal between the countries. Congo holds vast reserves of untapped resources, and the U.S. is offering security support in return.
