top of page

Congo jails three Chinese citizens in illegal mining crackdown

Writer: News Agency News Agency

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo - A Congolese court has sentenced three Chinese citizens to seven years in prison after they were arrested in possession of gold bars and $400,000 in cash and found guilty of illegal activities linked to the artisanal mining sector.


The trio are the first Chinese nationals to stand trial since Democratic Republic of Congo launched its latest push to crack down on the unlicensed extraction of the many precious and strategic minerals buried in its conflict-torn east.


"This is an educational trial that should normally serve as a wake-up call to all Chinese nationals who think they can leave China, arrive in Kitutu, Kibe, Lugushwa, Kamituga or Mwenga and behave as if they were in their own room, without even paying the hotel fees," said Christian Wanduma, a lawyer representing local communities in the trial.


The judge in a court in Bukavu, the capital of eastern South Kivu province, found the defendants guilty on Tuesday of money-laundering, illegal purchase and possession of mineral substances, and other charges.


In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered them to pay a fine equivalent to $600,000, and permanently banned them from Congo once their sentences are served.


He acquitted them of charges including fraud and illegal mineral extraction for lack of evidence. The defendants had pleaded guilty to four of the seven charges against them, but said throughout the trial that they had not known they were breaking Congolese law before they were arrested on Jan. 4.



Their lawyers said they would appeal the ruling.


Congo has struggled to stop unlicensed companies and local armed groups exploiting its rich reserves of cobalt, copper, gold and other minerals.


Protesters took to the streets of Bukavu last week after Chinese men arrested on suspicion of illegal mining in a separate case were released.


"Our minerals are being plundered by companies that are mostly Chinese-owned and our people remain in extreme poverty, the roads are very dilapidated, we have difficulty accessing drinking water, health care, education, electricity, employment," civil society leader Nene Bintu said at the demonstration.


"This situation has gone on for too long and must end now."


In 2021, the authorities banned six small Chinese-owned mining companies, who it accused of operating illegally.


(Additional reporting by Sonia Rolley; Writing by Alessandra Prentice and Portia Crowe; Editing by Ros Russell)

Commenti


Top Stories

Advertise Now (1).png
Live: Heathrow CEO Faces Parliament Over Airport Fire Disruption | UK Politics
02:44:36

Live: Heathrow CEO Faces Parliament Over Airport Fire Disruption | UK Politics

Watch live as Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye testifies before the UK Parliament's Transport Committee on the fire that shut down Heathrow Airport for 18 hours. Lawmakers question National Grid and airport officials on lessons learned and future safeguards. Featuring Alice Delahunty, Nigel Wicking, and Eliane Algaard. SPEAKERS: Thomas Woldbye, Chief Executive, Heathrow Airport Ltd; Alice Delahunty, President, UK Electricity Transmission, National Grid; Nigel Wicking, Chief Executive, Heathrow Airline Operators' Committee Limited; Eliane Algaard, Operations Director, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks #Heathrow #UKParliament #AirportFire #London #TransportCommittee #LiveNews #Aviation #NationalGrid #HeathrowCEO #BreakingNews Amaravati Today delivers real-time updates on global events, featuring live streams, in-depth explainers, factual insights, and expert analysis to keep you informed. #WorldNews #LiveUpdates #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live:  Taiwan Defense Ministry News Conference on China Drills | South China Sea Tensions
01:46:09
LIVE: White House Press Briefing | Iran, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, China, Greenland, Taiwan, EU, NATO
51:54

LIVE: White House Press Briefing | Iran, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, China, Greenland, Taiwan, EU, NATO

Live from Washington, D.C.: The White House Press Secretary holds a briefing on key issues, including the live entertainment market, investment acceleration, border security, Iran threats, Ukraine-Russia talks, and NATO security. Stay tuned for the latest updates on U.S. policies and international affairs. #WhiteHouse #PressBriefing #WashingtonDC #USPolitics #LiveNews #NATO #Ukraine #Iran #TradeWar #Security #taiwan #southchinasea #russia #china #greenland #canada #iran #Israel #syria Amaravati Today delivers real-time updates on global events, featuring live streams, in-depth explainers, factual insights, and expert analysis to keep you informed. #WorldNews #LiveUpdates #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
9.png
Live Streams | Facts | Analysis | Explainers | Breaking News

Get in Touch

Manikondu Pvt Ltd
SY. 130P & 115/1P, ISB Rd
Financial District, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, India 500032
letstalk {at} amaravati (dot) today

Follow us on

  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2024 by Amaravati Today | Privacy Policy | Imprint & Dsiclaimer | CIN: U70200TS2024PTC184435

bottom of page