Congo executes 102 'urban criminals', plans to execute 70 others

(CLO) The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has executed 102 people in the past week, and is preparing to execute 70 more, according to a statement by the country's Minister of Justice.

The executed men, aged between 18 and 35, were identified as armed robbers and “urban criminals” – known as Kuluna in Congo – and were carried out at Angenga prison in the north-west of the country.

The flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo (right) and the United Nations flag side by side. Photo: MONUSCO/Michelle Healy

Forty-five people were executed in late December and the remaining 57 were executed in the past 48 hours.

Authorities have also transferred 70 more people from the capital Kinshasa to Angenga, but have not made an official statement on the fate of this group of prisoners.

"The third group will be executed; the first two groups have already been executed," Justice Minister Mutamba, who oversaw the executions, said on Sunday.

The government's decision to impose the death penalty has caused much controversy in the country:

Some supporters see it as a necessary measure to restore order and security in cities. "We welcome this decision because it will help stop urban crime. After 8pm, you don't dare go out for fear of meeting Kuluna," said Fiston Kakule, a resident of Goma, eastern Congo.

In 1981, Congo abolished the death penalty but reinstated it in 2006. In 2024, the government announced that it would reintroduce the death penalty, mainly for military personnel convicted of treason.

In March 2024, Congo announced plans to reintroduce the death penalty. In May 2024, eight soldiers were sentenced to death for deserting the battlefield. In July 2024, another 25 soldiers were sentenced to death for similar crimes. However, none of these soldiers have been executed.

Cao Phong (according to CNN, LA Times)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/congo-tu-hinh-102-toi-pham-do-thi-du-kien-xu-them-70-ke-khac-post329124.html