Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a Jewish-American man, has received a death sentence in the DRC for his alleged role in a failed coup on May 19. His case has generated controversy due to rumors of connections with the Israeli Mossad. Among 37 individuals sentenced, Zalman-Polun claimed he was coerced at gunpoint during a violent arrest. The U.S. government has not intervened, and he has five days to appeal his sentence under Congolese law.
A Jewish-American individual, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, has been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt. This sentencing has ignited controversy and prompted speculation regarding possible affiliations with the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. Mr. Zalman-Polun, originally from Washington D.C. and a father of three, was among 37 people sentenced by a military tribunal in Kinshasa for their participation in the coup attempt that occurred on May 19. The coup, which was led by Christian Malanga—a used car salesman and gold miner—sought to overthrow the regime of President Félix Tshisekedi. During the proceedings, social media users disseminated photographs that purportedly connected Mr. Zalman-Polun to the CIA and Mossad, with one image showing him and Mr. Malanga outside the Golan Spy Shop, a store in Tel Aviv that specializes in technology and security supplies. The attempted coup, which resulted in the death of six individuals, was partially broadcasted via livestream. Reports from NPR indicated that Mr. Zalman-Polun was near the presidential palace at the time of the incident and was arrested alongside two other Americans while trying to escape the country by the Congo River. The defense asserted that they were coerced into participating in the coup under duress. Evidence presented during the trial revealed the disturbing circumstances of their capture, including footage of Mr. Zalman-Polun lying naked on a vessel as gunfire erupted around him. The U.S. State Department has not classified Mr. Zalman-Polun and the other detained Americans as wrongfully held, which diminishes the likelihood of U.S. governmental intervention. U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, condemned the coup and emphasized the involvement of American citizens while expressing commitment to assist Congolese authorities in their inquiry. According to Congolese law, those convicted have a five-day period in which to appeal. The DRC re-established the death penalty last year, ending a long-standing moratorium, which the government characterized as part of their efforts to combat “treachery.” The speculation surrounding the involvement of Israel’s Mossad in coups across the African and Middle Eastern regions is not a new phenomenon. Certainly, during the 1960s and 1970s, Mossad is believed to have engaged in various plots to overthrow governments, including that of Congo’s Patrice Lumumba, aligning with Israel’s geopolitical strategy of establishing aligned regimes in opposition to Arab nationalism.
The recent sentencing of a Jewish-American man in the DRC underscores the political instability and complex international relations in the region. The background of the case is rooted in a failed coup that took place on May 19, which aimed to destabilize the government of President Félix Tshisekedi. This particular incident not only reflects the ongoing challenges within Congolese politics but also highlights allegations of foreign involvement, which often rekindle historical narratives about external influences on African governance. Past actions by Israel’s Mossad in the region have been scrutinized, especially relating to the agency’s purported participation in strategic coups designed to shift power dynamics in favor of Israeli interests. The DRC’s recent reinstatement of the death penalty as part of a crackdown on perceived treachery introduces an additional layer of complexity to the legal circumstances surrounding foreign nationals involved in Congolese affairs.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun reflects broader issues of political unrest and international intrigue within the DRC. The allegations of coup involvement and potential links to foreign intelligence agencies raise significant questions about sovereignty, foreign manipulation, and the legal rights of foreign nationals. The ongoing discourse surrounding Mossad’s historical involvement with Coup d’état efforts in Africa adds yet another dimension to this multifaceted narrative.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
