DRC: eleven soldiers, accused of having fled from the M23, risk the death penalty in Goma

2024-04-05T19:59:30.931Z

Highlights: Eleven soldiers from the 223rd rapid reaction battalion could be sentenced to death for “cowardice’ The moratorium was lifted in mid-March in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Most death sentences handed down in the DRC are handed down by military courts. Although pronounced by the courts, the death penalty has not been applied for 20 years. The soldiers reportedly fled from the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23), supported by the Rwandan army, according to the senior military auditor.

In Goma, the eleven soldiers who risk the death penalty are still awaiting their verdict. This Friday, April 5, during a new hearing, the defense lawyers began to plead before the prosecutor's office...

DRC: eleven soldiers, accused of having fled from the M23, risk the death penalty in Goma

In Goma, the eleven soldiers who risk the death penalty are still awaiting their verdict. This Friday, April 5, during a new hearing, the defense lawyers began to plead before the military prosecutor's office. Eleven soldiers from the 223rd rapid reaction battalion could be sentenced to death for “cowardice”, while the moratorium was lifted in mid-March in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Most death sentences handed down in the DRC are handed down by military courts, but they are also handed down by civilian justice. Here, military magistrates during a trial in Goma, September 15, 2023. (illustrative photo) © Alexis Huguet / AFP

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Goma,

Coralie Pierret

the DRC

, the whole objective of Me Alex Tcheka, one

of the defense lawyers

, was to prove, on Friday April 5, to the Goma military court, that there had been no abandonment of post. “

The soldiers only went to collect ammunition

,” explains the council.

His client, a unit commander of the 223rd rapid reaction battalion, is accused, along with ten other defendants, of “

cowardice and incitement to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline

”. On December 24, 2023, these soldiers, stationed around Saké, the last stronghold still under government control, reportedly fled from the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23), supported by the Rwandan army, according to the senior military auditor. . The magistrate requested the death penalty.

The verdict is not yet in. If his requests were to be confirmed by the court, it would be a first since the DRC decided to reinstate the application of the death penalty. Although pronounced by the courts, the death penalty has not been applied

for 20 years

Read alsoIn the east of the DRC, the army faces an upsurge in violence attributed to the ADF group

DRC: eleven soldiers, accused of having fled from the M23, risk the death penalty in Goma

DRC: eleven soldiers, accused of having fled from the M23, risk the death penalty in Goma

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest