According to the AFP news agency, the prosecution in the trial of six men charged with the murder of Italy’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2021 has asked for the death penalty to be imposed on them.
Luca Attanasio was killed in the conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo when gunmen ambushed a UN convoy in which he was traveling. In addition, a local driver and an Italian police officer were killed.
According to AFP, prosecutor Bamusamba Kabamba stated that the victims were kidnapped and “dragged deep into the forest before being killed,” and that the accused had previously been portrayed as kidnappers seeking a $1 million (£845,000) ransom.
A military court is hearing the charges against the accused. Five of them are currently detained and have denied the charges. According to AFP, the sixth is on the run and is being tried in absentia.
DR Congo has not executed anyone since 2023, though courts continue to sentence people to death.
