A Congolese court on Friday sentenced to death nine rebels and acquitted two others as the government seeks to hold a rebel group accountable for attacks that have killed more than 1,000 people in eastern Congo since October 2014.
The
convicted were prosecuted for crimes against humanity, terrorism and
participation in a rebellion, presiding judge Lt. Col. Jean-Paulin Esosa
Basema said.
They are members of the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel
group founded in neighboring Uganda that is now based in Congo. A third
defendant was transferred to a court for minors, the judge said.
The trial of more than 100 defendants began in December.
Beni
residents said they were satisfied with the first sentencings in the
trial, and they said they hope it brings further international
intervention against the violence in the region.
The
ADF rebels are among scores of armed groups vying for control in
mineral-rich eastern Congo.
The ADF rebel movement has been active since
the 1990s but intensified its attacks inside Congo several years ago.
The
president of the local human rights group, Omar Kavota, said that while
he welcomed the trial and the great consideration given to the
convictions, he did not welcome the death sentences.
AP
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