Three Americans accused of being involved in last month's coup attempt in Congo appeared in a military court in the country's capital, Kinshasa, on Friday, along with dozens of other defendants who were lined up on plastic chairs before the judge on the first day of the hearing.
The defendants face a number of charges, many punishable by death, including terrorism, murder and criminal association. “He’s not interpreting right. We need a different interpreter who understands English, please,” Marcel Malanga told the judge after the journalist incorrectly translated his zip code.
Miranda Thompson had worried that her stepson might not even be aware that his family knew he'd been arrested. Marcel Malanga’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, has said her son is innocent and simply followed his father, who considered himself president of a shadow government in exile. Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, was the third American on trial. He was seen seated in the back row and was the last to be interviewed.The AP has been unable to reach his family for comment.