MILITARY COURT SENTENCES FARDC MUTINEERS

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000651 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS KDEM CG SUBJECT: MILITARY COURT SENTENCES FARDC MUTINEERS REF: KINSHASA 378 ¶1. (U) The military court of Ituri District rendered its verdict against 27 of the commandos of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) who mutinied during a anti-militia operation March 1 (reftel). The court sentenced ten of the mutineers to 20 years in prison, while one received a sentence of 15 years and another 10 years imprisonment. Nine others were sentenced to five years in prison, and five were acquitted. The court also passed in absentia the death penalty against one commando who escaped after the mutiny and has not yet been arrested. The military prosecutor had originally sought life sentences for 25 of the commandos. Indictments in the case included charges of desertion, insubordination, and attempted murder. Following the verdict, the commandos' defense attorney submitted an appeal to the High Military Court in Kinshasa. DOUGHERTY