Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a Jewish-American man, has been sentenced to death in the DRC for his alleged role in a failed coup. The coup, led by Christian Malanga, aimed to overthrow President Tshisekedi and resulted in multiple deaths. Allegations of ties to the CIA and Mossad have proliferated online, especially concerning a photograph linking Zalman-Polun to intelligence activities. The U.S. has not deemed the detentions wrongful, limiting governmental response.
A Jewish-American citizen has been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for purportedly participating in a failed coup attempt. Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, originally from Washington D.C. and a father of three, was among 37 individuals condemned by a military tribunal in Kinshasa following the botched coup attempt that occurred on May 19. This coup, masterminded by Christian Malanga, a used car salesman and gold miner, sought to dethrone President Félix Tshisekedi. The proceedings surrounding this case have been rife with controversy, particularly regarding claims of international involvement. Speculation has circulated on social media asserting that Zalman-Polun had connections with the CIA and Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. This conjecture arose due to a photograph showing Zalman-Polun and Malanga outside the Golan Spy Shop, a renowned technology and security supply store located in Tel Aviv. The attempted coup, which led to six fatalities, included live-streamed segments of its unfolding. Reports indicate that Zalman-Polun was present at the presidential palace prior to Malanga being fatally shot by Congolese military forces. Subsequently, Zalman-Polun and two other American nationals were apprehended whilst attempting to escape along the banks of the Congo River. During the military trial, the accused asserted that their involvement in the coup was coerced at gunpoint. Footage from the proceedings exhibited the severe conditions of their arrest, with one particularly disturbing video showing Zalman-Polun exposed on a riverboat while Congolese soldiers fired upon another individual trying to swim away. The United States State Department has not classified the detention of Zalman-Polun and his compatriots as wrongful, rendering the likelihood of U.S. governmental intervention low. Lucy Tamlyn, the U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, publicly denounced the coup and the role of American citizens, expressing a commitment to collaborate with Congolese authorities throughout the investigation process. Under Congolese law, those convicted are afforded five days to file appeals against their death sentences. Notably, the DRC reinstated the death penalty last year after a long-standing moratorium, which the government justified as necessary to combat “treachery.” The notion of Mossad’s involvement in coups throughout Africa and the Middle East is a topic of persistent speculation. Historically, during the 1960s and 1970s, there have been allegations of Mossad’s participation in the overthrow of various governments, including that of Patrice Lumumba in Congo, as part of an Israeli strategy aimed at establishing favorable regimes in contrast to Arab nationalism.
The conviction of Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun comes against a backdrop of political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country has a long history of coups and political violence, particularly during the mid-20th century when foreign entities, including Israel, were accused of interfering in its political affairs. The current case has raised concerns about the role of foreign nationals and intelligence agencies in domestic political upheaval. The reinstatement of the death penalty by the DRC government further complicates the legal context within which this case is situated.
The sentencing of Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun to death for his alleged participation in a failed coup in the DRC illustrates the complexities surrounding international involvement in domestic conflicts. The lack of U.S. intervention raises additional concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals accused of political crimes in countries facing instability. As the legal processes continue, the case is likely to attract further scrutiny regarding the implications of foreign intelligence operations in sovereign nations.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
