The trial of Salomon Kalonda, Moïse Katumbi’s right-hand man, recently began at Ndolo military prison, but the accused was absent during the hearings. He has in fact been detained for five months and weakened by illness, requiring care in a highly secure private clinic. His doctor opposed any forceful extraction, which caused the military prosecutor to become impatient.
The prosecution wants Kalonda’s next appearance to be held in a mobile court at the hospital, which has sparked outrage from the defense. She believes that this goes against human rights and would endanger the health of the accused. His lawyer requested the suspension of the hearings for at least three months in order to stabilize his state of health.
The competence of military justice to try a civilian is also contested by the defense, as is Kalonda’s arrest, which is described as arbitrary. She also requests the declassification of the reports drawn up by military intelligence.
The final decision rests with the judges who must rule in five days. In the meantime, Salomon Kalonda’s trial raises questions about respect for human rights and the competence of military justice in this specific case.
In conclusion, the trial of Salomon Kalonda, accused of treason and complicity with Rwandan officers and the M23 rebellion, raises questions about respect for human rights and the competence of military justice to try a civilian. The fragile health of the accused adds an additional dimension to this case, highlighting the stakes of this trial for democracy in the DRC.