Congo: Jewish-American Sentenced to Death Amid Coup Controversy Linked to Mossad

Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a Jewish-American, was sentenced to death in the DRC for his alleged involvement in a failed coup against President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. His connection to Israeli intelligence and claims of coercion during the coup attempt have stirred controversy. With the U.S. government remaining largely uninvolved, the DRC has reestablished the death penalty to address treason, complicating the political landscape further.

A Jewish-American citizen, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, has received a death sentence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) linked to a failed coup attempt against the government of President Félix Tshisekedi. Along with 36 others, Zalman-Polun was tried by a military tribunal in Kinshasa following the events of May 19, when a coup orchestrated by Christian Malanga, a car dealer and gold miner, failed dramatically. During this coup attempt, which resulted in six fatalities, Zalman-Polun reportedly attempted to escape before being captured by local authorities alongside two other Americans. Efforts to establish a connection between him and the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad have surfaced, spurred by social media claims and contentious images showing him with Malanga near a security store in Tel Aviv. Legal testimony indicated that Zalman-Polun was coerced into participating under duress, with investigative footage revealing the violent circumstances of their arrest. The U.S. State Department has not intervened, nor declared him or the others as wrongfully detained, while the U.S. Ambassador to the DRC has denounced the involvement of American nationals in the coup. The DRC reintroduced the death penalty last year, justifying this move as necessary for combating treason. This case echoes historical instances of alleged foreign involvement in Congolese politics, raising questions about the legacy and potential coordination of foreign intelligence agencies in such upheavals.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has a tumultuous history marked by political coups and foreign intervention, particularly relating to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. This agency has been speculated to have been involved in influencing political landscapes across Africa and the Middle East since the mid-20th century. The contemporary case of Zalman-Polun and Malanga reminds observers of this historical context, especially given the DRC’s recent reinstatement of the death penalty which the government claims is aimed at combating treason and restoring order in the wake of escalating political violence.

In summary, the conviction of Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a Jewish-American national, for his alleged role in a coup attempt in the DRC has generated widespread controversy, particularly regarding the insinuated connections to Mossad and the implications of foreign interference in Congolese affairs. Despite claims of coercion, the U.S. government has refrained from intervening significantly, while the DRC’s legal system faces scrutiny as it applies its reinstated death penalty to this high-profile case. The unfolding situation underscores the complexities surrounding foreign involvement in national politics and the potential repercussions for both citizens and their governments.

Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com