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A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has sentenced 27 soldiers to death for allegedly fleeing their positions on the battlefield, according to court documents cited by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
The soldiers were convicted of abandoning their frontline positions while fighting AFC/M23 rebels. The trial of at least 112 soldiers from the 21st Simba Battalion began on September 15 at a military court in Uvira, South Kivu province.
The soldiers were accused of disobeying military orders and fleeing the battlefield during fighting against rebels in eastern DR Congo in August.
The court said 54 soldiers were sentenced to five years in prison on Friday for disobeying orders. Another 10 soldiers were sentenced to six months in prison. At least 21 soldiers were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, including five women.
Prosecutors said the soldiers had been deployed to secure key strategic areas around Uvira.
In a similar case in May, a military court in DR Congo sentenced 58 soldiers to three years in prison for disobeying orders by withdrawing from frontline positions during clashes with AFC/M23 rebels.
Local sources said clashes between AFC/M23 rebels and government forces have continued in the Uvira area during the latest trial. Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire.