Bunia – A military prosecutor in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday requested the death penalty for 11 people allegedly implicated in the murder of two Chinese mine workers this year.
On March 17, a convoy of Chinese nationals returning from a gold mine came under attack in the village of Nderemi in Ituri province. Two Chinese workers were killed.
A military tribunal launched proceedings against 12 people – including 11 army members – in July, on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy, according to an indictment seen by AFP.
Two of the soldiers who have been charged are currently on the run.
During a hearing on Monday, military prosecutor Colonel Kumbu Ngoma requested the death penalty for 11 of the suspects, who include two army colonels.
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Ngoma requested 12 months in prison for Eric Ezwa, another soldier who was allegedly involved.
In practice, the death penalty in the DRC is commuted to life imprisonment.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday, court president Colonel Dienga Akelele said.
Attacks on Chinese-managed mines and Chinese workers are not uncommon in resource-rich eastern DRC, which has been ravaged by militia violence for decades.
Last year, the DRC government placed security officials in charge of the administration of Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu province in a bid to curb violence. The measure has failed to stop attacks, however.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/ @WebDPN
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