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RNZ News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
How three Americans allegedly conspired to overthrow the DRC government
By Daniela Pizzirani for ABC News Tyler Thompson's family thought he was on a free vacation, but he now faces life in prison for allegedly conspiring to overthrow a foreign government. Photo: HARDY BOPE / AFP This time last year, US citizens Tyler Thompson and Marcel Malanga were just a couple of friends in their 20s throwing a football around Salt Lake City in Utah. But today, they sit behind bars in the US, where they face life in prison for allegedly conspiring to overthrow a foreign government. So how did teammates from the "Mormon state" end up entangled with rebel forces in an attack on the presidential palace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? On 19 May 2024, armed men wearing camouflage uniforms stormed the Palace of the Nation in DRC, as well as the home of the president, which was left riddled with bullet holes. The attack was recorded and live streamed on social media by Christian Malanga, who ditched his life as a used car dealer and gold miner in the US to become the self-styled leader of a DRC government-in-exile. Christian Malanga, who died along with five other people in the firefight, had described himself on his website as a refugee who settled in the US with his family in the 1990s. Among those rounded up in the aftermath of the failed coup was his 22-year-old son Marcel Malanga. Weapons and military uniforms used by defendants in the failed coup attempt. Photo: HARDY BOPE / AFP Marcel Malanga had arrived in the DRC the previous month. With him was a former high school friend and football teammate, Tyler Thompson, 22. Thompson's family thought he was on a free vacation, with all expenses paid by Christian Malanga. But the itinerary included more than sightseeing. Thompson, who was travelling outside the US for the first time, thought Christian Malanga was a president of an African country, although he was unsure which one. A third man from Utah, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, who connected with both Thompson and Marcel Malanga in the US before the attack, is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company. Benjamin Zalman-Polun. Photo: HARDY BOPE / AFP Thompson, Marcel Malanga and Zalman-Polun, who are all US citizens, were captured by DRC government officials shortly after the attack, and accused of aiding, and spending months plotting, the strike. Marcel Malanga, who allegedly acted as a leader of the rebel forces, claimed his father had threatened to kill him and his friends if they did not obey his orders. Three months before the attack, Marcel Malanga tried to recruit soldiers by posting a message on social media. "If you want to make $50-100k message me (warriors only)," the post said. Thompson, who was not paid, was the only friend to accept the offer, although other football teammates from Salt Lake City alleged Malanga had asked them to join him on a "security job" in DRC. In the lead-up to the attack, Malanga, who lived with Thompson in his family's home, also posted pictures of guns and wrote he may be preparing for war. He also uploaded photos of guns to social media and wrote "war ready" in one of his posts. Thompson maintained he had no knowledge of Christian Malanga's intentions. But court documents allege he was the group's drone specialist, acquiring drones in the US, and planning to mount flamethrowers on them and use them to light people on fire. A long-running FBI investigation accused the men of conspiring to provide weapons, explosives and other support to a rebel army. Marcel Malanga. Photo: AFP / Hardy Bope The three Americans initially faced the death penalty in DRC after being found guilty of terrorism, murder, criminal association and illegal possession of weapons, among other charges. But their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment before they were transferred to US custody on 9 April. The trio were shackled, masked and flown back to the US wearing their blue and yellow prison uniforms. They now face charges including conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction, bomb government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. "The defendants planned, scouted out targets, and identified victims for the Armed Coup Attack, with the purpose and intent to murder other persons, including high-level DRC government officials," court documents said. "They recruited others to join in the Armed Coup Attack as personnel for the rebel army and, in some cases, recruited personnel in exchange for money." Marcel Malanga's mother, Brittney Sawyer, has since said her son was innocent and was simply following his father. The three men have denied any wrongdoing, and are expected to make their first US court appearance in Brooklyn, New York, although it is unclear on what date. Prosecutors are seeking to keep them in jail as the case moves forward. "The four defendants pose an extreme danger to the community and present an unmanageable risk of flight," the Justice Department said in a detention memo. The deal for the three men's extraction comes as Washington is negotiating with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi over potential minerals investments. "This shows that the collaboration and cooperation between the two states is growing stronger and stronger," said Mr Tshisekedi's spokesperson Tina Salama. DRC has deposits of minerals, including cobalt, that are used in mobile phones and electric cars, and are currently mined predominantly by Chinese companies. - ABC
ABC News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
How three Americans allegedly conspired to overthrow the DRC government
This time last year, US citizens Tyler Thompson and Marcel Malanga were just a couple of friends in their 20s throwing a football around Salt Lake City in Utah. But today, they sit behind bars in the US, where they face life in prison for allegedly conspiring to overthrow a foreign government. So how did teammates from the "Mormon state" end up entangled with rebel forces in an attack on the presidential palace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? Tyler Thompson and Marcel Malanga on the day they were extradited. ( ABC: X/Présidence RDC ) A botched coup On May 19, 2024, armed men wearing camouflage uniforms stormed the Palace of the Nation in DRC, as well as the home of the president, which was left riddled with bullet holes. The attack was recorded and live streamed on social media by Christian Malanga, who ditched his life as a used car dealer and gold miner in the US to become the self-styled leader of a DRC government-in-exile. Christian Malanga, who died along with five other people in the firefight, had described himself on his website as a refugee who settled in the US with his family in the 1990s. Among those rounded up in the aftermath of the failed coup was his 22-year-old son, Marcel Malanga. Christian Malanga, left, and Marcel Malanga in military-style uniforms in January 2024. ( AP: US Department of Justice ) Three tickets to trouble Marcel Malanga had arrived in the DRC the previous month. With him was a former high school friend and football teammate, Tyler Thompson, 22. Thompson's family thought he was on a free vacation, with all expenses paid by Christian Malanga. But the itinerary included more than sightseeing. The three men at the beginning of their trial last year. ( Reuters: Photo/Justin Makangara ) Thompson, who was travelling outside the US for the first time, thought Christian Malanga was a president of an African country, although he was unsure which one. A third man from Utah, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, who connected with both Thompson and Marcel Malanga in the US before the attack, is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company. Thompson, Marcel Malanga and Zalman-Polun, who are all US citizens, were captured by DRC government officials shortly after the attack, and accused of aiding, and spending months plotting, the strike. Marcel Malanga, who allegedly acted as a leader of the rebel forces, claimed his father had threatened to kill him and his friends if they did not obey his orders. Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, left, Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson in court in September. ( AP: Photo/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi ) 'Warriors only' Three months before the attack, Marcel Malanga tried to recruit soldiers by posting a message on social media. "If you want to make $50-100k message me (warriors only)," the post said. Social media post in February from Marcel Malanga. ( US Department of Justice ) Thompson, who was not paid, was the only friend to accept the offer, although other football teammates from Salt Lake City alleged Malanga had asked them to join him on a "security job" in DRC. In the lead-up to the attack, Malanga, who lived with Thompson in his family's home, also posted pictures of guns and wrote he may be preparing for war. He also uploaded photos of guns to social media and wrote "war ready" in one of his posts. Marcel Malanga posted a series of photos of guns on his social media. ( US Department of Justice ) Thompson maintained he had no knowledge of Christian Malanga's intentions. But court documents allege he was the group's drone specialist, acquiring drones in the US, and planning to mount flamethrowers on them and use them to light people on fire. A long-running FBI investigation accused the men of conspiring to provide weapons, explosives and other support to a rebel army. Rebecca Higbee is the mother of Tyler Thompson. ( AP: Photo/Rick Bowmer ) What were they charged with? The three Americans initially faced the death penalty in DRC after being found guilty of terrorism, murder, criminal association and illegal possession of weapons, among other charges. But their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment before they were transferred to US custody on April 9. The trio were shackled, masked and flown back to the US wearing their blue and yellow prison uniforms. Tyler Thompson boarding his plane back to the US. ( ABC: X/Présidence RDC ) They now face charges including conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction, bomb government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. "The defendants planned, scouted out targets, and identified victims for the Armed Coup Attack, with the purpose and intent to murder other persons, including high-level DRC government officials," court documents said. "They recruited others to join in the Armed Coup Attack as personnel for the rebel army and, in some cases, recruited personnel in exchange for money." Marcel Malanga's mother, Brittney Sawyer, has since said her son was innocent and was simply following his father. Marcel Malanga, fourth from right, waits to hear the verdict in September. ( AP: Photo/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi ) What happens next? The three men have denied any wrongdoing, and are expected to make their first US court appearance in Brooklyn, New York, although it is unclear on what date. Prosecutors are seeking to keep them in jail as the case moves forward. "The four defendants pose an extreme danger to the community and present an unmanageable risk of flight," the Justice Department said in a detention memo. Photo shows DRC Congo mining In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, battles are taking place for territory and rare earth minerals such as cobalt. Donald Trump is about to enter the race. The deal for the three men's extraction comes as Washington is negotiating with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi over potential minerals investments. "This shows that the collaboration and cooperation between the two states is growing stronger and stronger," said Mr Tshisekedi's spokesperson Tina Salama. DRC has deposits of minerals, including cobalt, that are used in mobile phones and electric cars, and are currently mined predominantly by Chinese companies.
25-04-2025
- Politics
Americans linked to Congo coup attempt plead not guilty to US criminal charges
SALT LAKE CITY -- Four Americans have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in federal court in Utah after authorities said they conspired to stage a violent coup in Congo that failed. Three of the defendants were charged earlier this month following their return to the United States from Congo, where the death sentences they faced were commuted prior to their repatriation. Among them is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the coup attempt that targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa. A fourth man in Utah alleged by prosecutors to be an expert in explosives is charged with aiding the plot. Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were ordered to remain in custody after pleading not guilty during a joint court appearance on Thursday. The alleged explosives expert, Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, appeared separately and was also ordered to remain in custody after entering a not guilty plea. Prosecutors say he provided explosives training and instructions at his Utah home and contributed weapons. The May 2024 coup attempt aimed to overthrow Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. At least six people, including Christian Malanga, died when armed men in camouflage fatigues led an attack on the homes of the president and a deputy prime minister. The four Americans are charged with crimes including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. They face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. The three Americans who traveled to Congo were among 37 people sentenced to death last September by a military court in Congo for their role in the coup attempt.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Americans linked to Congo coup attempt plead not guilty to US criminal charges
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Four Americans have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in federal court in Utah after authorities said they conspired to stage a violent coup in Congo that failed. Three of the defendants were charged earlier this month following their return to the United States from Congo, where the death sentences they faced were commuted prior to their repatriation. Among them is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the coup attempt that targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa. A fourth man in Utah alleged by prosecutors to be an expert in explosives is charged with aiding the plot. Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were ordered to remain in custody after pleading not guilty during a joint court appearance on Thursday. The alleged explosives expert, Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, appeared separately and was also ordered to remain in custody after entering a not guilty plea. Prosecutors say he provided explosives training and instructions at his Utah home and contributed weapons. The May 2024 coup attempt aimed to overthrow Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. At least six people, including Christian Malanga, died when armed men in camouflage fatigues led an attack on the homes of the president and a deputy prime minister. The four Americans are charged with crimes including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. They face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. The three Americans who traveled to Congo were among 37 people sentenced to death last September by a military court in Congo for their role in the coup attempt. Moesser's attorney, Adam Merrill, declined comment. Attorneys for Malanga, Thompson and Zalman-Polun could not be reached immediately for comment by phone or email.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-04-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Americans linked to Congo coup attempt plead not guilty to US criminal charges
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Four Americans have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in federal court in Utah after authorities said they conspired to stage a violent coup in Congo that failed. Three of the defendants were charged earlier this month following their return to the United States from Congo, where the death sentences they faced were commuted prior to their repatriation. Among them is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the coup attempt that targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa. A fourth man in Utah alleged by prosecutors to be an expert in explosives is charged with aiding the plot. Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were ordered to remain in custody after pleading not guilty during a joint court appearance on Thursday. The alleged explosives expert, Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, appeared separately and was also ordered to remain in custody after entering a not guilty plea. Prosecutors say he provided explosives training and instructions at his Utah home and contributed weapons. The May 2024 coup attempt aimed to overthrow Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. At least six people, including Christian Malanga, died when armed men in camouflage fatigues led an attack on the homes of the president and a deputy prime minister. The four Americans are charged with crimes including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. They face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. The three Americans who traveled to Congo were among 37 people sentenced to death last September by a military court in Congo for their role in the coup attempt.
