Congolese court confirms death sentence of military expert in appeal ruling
Congo's military court of appeal has confirmed the death sentence previously imposed on Belgian Jean-Jacques Wondo, La Libre writes. "He was found guilty of participating in a criminal organisation," his lawyer Carlos Ngwapitshi told the newspaper.
Wondo, a Belgian national, previously worked as a military expert for the Belgian ministry of Justice. He was working as a consultant in Kinshasa in May when attackers targeted president Félix Tshisekedi and Economy minister Vital Kamerhe in an attempted coup.
Congolese security forces foiled the coup. More than 50 people were arrested, including Wondo, who is accused of masterminding the coup attempt. Along with 36 others, he was sentenced to death in September. Wondo has always maintained his innocence.
Lack of evidence
After his sentence became known, the FPS Foreign Affairs in Brussels said it was "surprised", given the "limited elements presented during the trial". Both Belgium and the European Parliament have since called for his immediate release, citing his deteriorating health, his right to a fair trial and the "lack of credible evidence".
But these appeals did not seem to have any effect. "The court did not give any arguments," Ngwapitshi told La Libre on Monday. "There is no doubt today that Jean-Jacques Wondo has become a personal prisoner of Félix Tshisekedi. A bargaining chip with Belgium in a turbulent period that the country is going through."
Following the verdict, Belgium has temporarily recalled its ambassador in Kinshasa for consultation, the FPS Foreign Affairs announced. "This sentence will have consequences for our bilateral relations, which we will evaluate," it said on Monday.
Jean-Jacques Wondo during his trial in September © BELGA PHOTO ACP
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