Bukavu military tribunal: life sentence for soldier Lukusa Kabeya Gaby
In a recent verdict from the Bukavu military court, soldier Lukusa Kabeya Gaby was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a civilian in the Mululu region of Kabare. According to information, the victim refused to have his phone extorted by the convict.
The trial took place in a fairground and two charges were brought against the soldier: murder and violation of orders. The court pronounced the following sentence: “For the offense of murder, the defendant is sentenced to the death penalty. For the violation of the instructions, he is sentenced to 10 years in prison.” Soldier Lukusa Kabeya was therefore sentenced to the death penalty under article 7 of the military penal code.
In addition to the prison sentence, the convicted soldier will also have to pay a fine of 30,000 USD, payable in Congolese francs.
This conviction was welcomed with satisfaction by the inhabitants of the Mululu region, who however demand that the soldiers based in Kashere and Adi-kivu respect their security mission and not become a source of insecurity for the population.
It should be remembered that this affair led to tensions in the region, with demonstrations by the population to denounce the murder of the civilian by a soldier. The trial which resulted in the soldier’s life sentence was therefore seen as an important step in the search for justice.
This conviction also underlines the importance of respecting the rules and instructions in the armed forces, and reminds us that any serious offense will be severely punished.
In conclusion, the life sentence of soldier Lukusa Kabeya Gaby for the murder of a civilian in Mululu is an important step towards justice and the fight against impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hopefully this case will serve as an example to ensure the security of citizens and strengthen the integrity of the military forces in the country.