{A group of Congolese nationals accused of plotting to assassinate Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila were acquitted in a South African court Friday.}<\/p>\n
Charges were dropped against 15 of the 20 men on the recommendation of the prosecution, nearly two years after their arrests.<\/p>\n
“The prosecution pointed out clearly that their case was not as strong as they believed,” said the group’s lawyer, Thesigan Pillay.<\/p>\n
“I’m pleased for the accused who have been released but at the same time I’m concerned for the accused who remain in custody.”<\/p>\n
A crowd of about 50 supporters shouting anti-Kabila slogans greeted the ex-prisoners as they left court.<\/p>\n
The released men said they had suffered abuse at the hands of South African prison officials.<\/p>\n
“It is better to live in hell than in a South African prison,” said newly-released David Muyembi.<\/p>\n
“For 21 months, I spent 23 hours a day locked in a one-square-metre cell. I was also one of a few tortured and sent to hospital.”<\/p>\n
Another of the freed men, James Jacob Mapima, said: “From the start, I knew this day would arrive because I knew I was innocent.<\/p>\n
“But I am very angry because they decided to keep us in prison for two years, for nothing.”<\/p>\n
The five remaining accused face charges of mercenary activities and conspiracy to murder.<\/p>\n
Only four of the men will stay behind bars, however: Etienne Kabila, the alleged ringleader of the plot and self-professed half-brother of President Kabila, was previously released on bail.<\/p>\n
Officers arrested the suspects on February 5 last year, six months after an agent infiltrated their group.<\/p>\n
He filmed several meetings and exchanged emails over the alleged preparation for the coup.<\/p>\n
The defendants have claimed they are the victims of a conspiracy between Kinshasa and the South African police.<\/p>\n
The trial was adjourned to January.<\/p>\n
AFP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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