**Fatshimetrie: The trial of the defendants of the coup d’état stifled in Kinshasa**
On May 19, a coup d’état was stifled in Kinshasa, plunging the Congolese capital into turmoil and anxiety. Five locally recruited defendants were questioned before the Kinshasa-Gombe garrison military court, sitting in the Ndolo prison. Their testimonies revealed disturbing details about the circumstances of their alleged involvement in the plot.
One of the defendants, Eric Kasongo, claimed to have been contacted for a supposed interview to join an NGO, organized by a certain Aboubakar. However, at the very moment he was on the premises, the situation took a dramatic turn when Christian Malanga, the alleged mastermind of the operation, appeared armed with a weapon, demanding absolute silence. The defendants found themselves under threat, stripped of their belongings, in palpable tension.
Another defendant, Simon Bitumba, denied any involvement in these events. Reported as a sentry of a plot near the inn where the dark activities took place, he proclaims his innocence and claims to have been arrested without valid reason. His testimony underlines the crucial importance of clearly identifying the links between the different actors in this complex case.
The defendants’ lawyers have not remained inactive. Ephraïm Mugambu and Jean-Jacques Wondo have filed motions to request provisional release for their clients. The arguments put forward are varied, highlighting in particular family responsibilities and worrying health problems. The defense seeks to highlight the humanity behind the defendants, while recalling the seriousness of the accusations against them.
In this tense judicial context, the public prosecutor has expressed a firm position by opposing the requests for provisional release. The main argument lies in the serious nature of the facts alleged against the defendants, calling for caution and rigor in the handling of this delicate case.
The situation in the DRC remains tense, marked by tumultuous political episodes and unexpected twists. The trial of the defendants in the coup d’état stifled in Kinshasa continues to captivate public opinion, revealing the dark underbelly of power and the crucial issues at stake behind the scenes. Fatshimetrie remains a privileged witness to this troubled period in Congolese history, seeking to shed relevant and objective light on the current events.