Third American in DRC trial says 'forced' to join 'coup' bid

An American on trial over an alleged coup bid in DR Congo told a court on Monday he had been "forced" into it, echoing two other US citizens facing the same charge.

The supposed attempt took place on May 19 when armed men attacked the home of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe before raiding the building housing the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi.

The plot was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and who was killed by security forces, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge has said.

Tyler Thompson was visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo from the United States with Malanga's son, Marcel Malanga, when it happened.

"I was forced to carry an arm," Thompson said during a trial of 51 suspects that began on June 7 in a military prison in the capital Kinshasa.

"I came to the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) to visit Marcel's family who I had never seen before," he added.

On Friday, Malanga also said that he had been forced into participating by his father, saying "he told us he would kill us if we didn't listen".

Malanga said his father had woken him up late on the night of May 18, ordering him to take a weapon.

The third American who is also being tried -- Benjamin Zalman-Polun -- also said on Friday he had been "kidnapped" and "forced" into taking part.

Thompson told the court on Monday that he had never had military training and had had not used the weapon given to him.

He said that the night before the 'coup' took place that Malanga had said: "Soldiers will come shortly, you must do exactly what I tell you, otherwise you will die".

Military prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu rejected Thompson's version, saying his role had been as a "supplier of drones to the armed gang".

A lawyer for 21-year-old American Taylor Christian Thomson said in June that his client suffered "torture" during his arrest.

The lawyers for the Americans have also called for evidence from earlier hearings involving their clients to be annulled.

They argued that their clients were interrogated in French, without an interpreter, despite being English speakers.

The charges include "attack, terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and munitions of war, attempted assassination, criminal association, murder (and) financing of terrorism", according to a court document.