Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a Jewish-American, has been sentenced to death in the DRC for participating in a failed coup against President Félix Tshisekedi. Conspiracy theories related to alleged ties with Israeli Mossad have emerged amid the trial. The incident has raised significant concerns over foreign involvement in Congolese politics, coinciding with the DRC’s recent reinstatement of the death penalty.
A Jewish-American individual, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, has received a death sentence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to his purported role in a failed coup attempt. This incident has sparked considerable debate and speculation regarding possible affiliations with the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. The military tribunal in Kinshasa sentenced Zalman-Polun alongside 36 others for their involvement in the coup that transpired on May 19, which was orchestrated by Christian Malanga, a local entrepreneur seeking to topple President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. Controversy surrounding the case intensified with the emergence of allegations on social media, which implicated Zalman-Polun in connections to both the CIA and Mossad. These claims are partly based on an image of Zalman-Polun photographed with Malanga outside the Golan Spy Shop, a security supply establishment in Tel Aviv. The coup attempt itself, some segments of which were broadcast live, culminated in the deaths of six individuals. Reports from NPR indicate that Zalman-Polun was present at the presidential palace at the time of Malanga’s death at the hands of Congolese soldiers. Following the attempted coup, Zalman-Polun and a pair of American companions were captured while allegedly trying to escape along the Congo River. During their trial, the accused contended that they were coerced into participating in the coup under duress. Visual evidence presented during the proceedings illustrated the harsh treatment the individuals faced during their arrest, including a disturbing video showing Zalman-Polun in a vulnerable state while gunfire erupted nearby. The U.S. State Department has not classified Zalman-Polun and his fellow Americans as wrongfully detained, diminishing the likelihood of U.S. diplomatic intervention. U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, has condemned the coup and disapproved of the actions of American citizens, offering to collaborate with Congolese officials on the ongoing investigation. According to Congolese law, those convicted have a five-day period to appeal their sentences. The DRC had reinstated the death penalty the previous year after a long-standing moratorium, aligning such measures with a campaign to eliminate perceived acts of treachery within the nation. The involvement of Israel’s Mossad in political subversion across Africa and the Middle East remains a topic of conjecture, with historical records suggesting its alleged participation in various governmental overthrows in the region during the 1960s and 1970s, including events surrounding the assassination of Congo’s Patrice Lumumba in the context of broader Israeli strategic goals.
The recent sentencing of Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun to death in the DRC arises from a failed coup attempt against President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. The case has attracted attention due to the accusations linking Zalman-Polun to foreign intelligence agencies, such as Mossad and the CIA, which has further complicated perceptions surrounding the events. Moreover, the reinstatement of the death penalty in the DRC highlights the government’s stringent measures to combat perceived threats to national security. Historically, the involvement of Israeli intelligence in African politics has been a contentious topic, reflecting a legacy of interventions that sought to establish friendly regimes against common adversaries during the Cold War era.
The conviction and death sentence of Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun in the DRC for his alleged role in a failed coup have stirred significant controversy, particularly regarding potential associations with Israeli intelligence. The government’s decision to restore the death penalty, alongside the escalating discourse surrounding foreign interference in national affairs, exemplifies the complex and precarious political landscape of the DRC. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to monitor both the legal proceedings and international diplomatic responses.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
