The withdrawal of Édouard Mwangachuchu’s lawyers during the hearing on Friday July 7, 2023 sparked strong reactions. For the civil party, this withdrawal is considered an attempt to block the procedure. The lawyers therefore ask the High Military Court to automatically appoint new lawyers if the defendant is not assisted at the next hearing.
The event took place in a tense manner, Mwangachuchu’s lawyers withdrawing from the hearing denouncing an “inhumane” attitude of the High Military Court. According to them, their client would be seriously ill and would need appropriate care, which he would be denied. They claim that his health is precarious and that he cannot benefit from an adequate defense.
The charges against Edouard Mwangachuchu are serious. He is suspected of having links with the M23 rebels and is being prosecuted for treason, participation in an insurrectionary movement, espionage and illegal possession of weapons of war. These accusations stem from the discoveries of weapons of war in the residence of Mwangachuchu in Kinshasa and in the premises of his company SMB in Masisi, North Kivu.
The situation raises questions about respect for the right of defense and access to care for the defendant. Civil party lawyers believe that the High Military Court must take steps to ensure adequate legal representation if Édouard Mwangachuchu remains unassisted in future hearings.
This withdrawal of lawyers and the charges against Édouard Mwangachuchu underline the importance of a fair judicial process and respect for fundamental rights, even in the most sensitive cases. It is essential that the principles of justice and law are respected in order to ensure a transparent and fair procedure for all parties involved.
It remains to be seen how the High Military Court will react to this situation and whether ex officio lawyers will be appointed to defend Edouard Mwangachuchu at the next hearings