These defendants are being prosecuted by the arm of the law for, among other things, "forgery and use of forged documents" and "inciting military personnel to commit acts contrary to duty or discipline" and "cowardice". Shortly before, the 11 officers were convicted at first instance by the Military Court.
Among the eleven soldiers, there are five officers who were on the frontlines of the fight against the M23 rebellion supported by Rwanda. They are also being judged by the North-Kivu Military Court specifically for "cowardice" and "desertion in the face of the enemy". One of the indicted officers is Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Paluku Dunia, who also faces the requisition of the death penalty.
The next hearing is scheduled for April 5 and will be dedicated to the defense's pleas, clarified Mr. Olenga, the lawyer of Gabriel Paluku Dunia. It should be noted that the High Military Court remains the sole high appellate chamber within the hierarchy of military jurisdictions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gisèle Mbuyi
North Kivu: Death penalty sought for 11 soldiers who fled from M23
InternetKinshasaPolitics - During a public hearing of the High Military Court held on Friday, March 29, in the courtroom of the North-Kivu Military Court, the public prosecutor requested the death penalty against the 11 soldiers, including officers from the 223rd Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).