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25 soldiers accused of “fleeing from the enemy” while fighting M23 rebels in Congo-Kinshasa have been sentenced to death after a one-day trial, their lawyers said.
The mineral-rich eastern part of Congo-Kinshasa has been rocked by fighting between armed groups for about 30 years.
Since last week, the M23 rebel movement has taken over several towns along the northern front of the conflict, including the strategically important town of Kanyabayonga. Neighboring Rwanda has long been suspected of supporting the rebel movement.
Last March, the Congolese government lifted the moratorium on the death penalty, which had been in place since 2003. The measure specifically targets soldiers accused of treason.