The defense of Édouard Mwangachuchu, accused in a case of insurrectionary movement, treason and illegal possession of weapons of war, pleaded Tuesday in favor of the acquittal of his client. According to the collective of Mwangachuchu lawyers, the public prosecutor’s office has failed to prove the charges against the elected official, claiming that he is simply being used as a scapegoat for security problems in eastern DRC.
The trial, which began last March, should be completed by the beginning of September. In addition to Édouard Mwangachuchu, Chief Commissioner Robert Mushamalirwa, co-accused in this case, will present his defense this Friday before the High Military Court.
The charges against the two defendants are serious, with the discovery of caches of weapons in the mining concession of the Mining Company of Bisunzu, belonging to Mwangachuchu, as well as military effects found in his residence in Kinshasa, according to the public ministry. .
However, the defense continues to claim Mwangachuchu’s innocence and question the evidence presented by the prosecution. The lawyers maintain that their client is the victim of a plot intended to make him bear the responsibility for the security crises in the east of the country.
It remains to be seen what the final decision of the High Military Court will be in this controversial case. In the meantime, Édouard Mwangachuchu’s lawyers will continue to plead in favor of their client’s innocence and to demand his outright acquittal