Six men have been handed down a life sentence by a military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the murder of Italy’s ambassador, Luca Attanasio, in February 2021. Attanasio, his Italian bodyguard, Vittorio Iacovacci, and their driver, Mustapha Milambo, were attacked and shot dead after a UN convoy they were travelling in was ambushed. The victims were on their way to visit a UN World Food Programme feeding initiative in the Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site south of the city of Goma.
The prosecution argued that the accused men were part of a “criminal gang” and intended to hold Mr Attanasio and Mr Iacovacci for ransom after killing their driver. Five of the six men accused of killing them were arrested in January 2022 and have been in custody at N’Dolo military prison in the capital, Kinshasa. While the prosecutor sought the death penalty, the tribunal sentenced the men to life in prison. The accused men, who were previously employed as motorbike taxi drivers, were ordered to pay $2m (£1.6m) in compensation to the families of the victims.
The trial, which began in October, was marred by claims of torture and the absence of testimonies from the four survivors of the attack. The defendants had initially confessed to the crime but later claimed that their confessions were obtained under duress. Despite these challenges, the tribunal’s verdict represents an important step towards accountability and closure for the victims’ families. It also highlights the ongoing insecurity in the eastern region of the DR Congo, where various armed groups have been active for years.
The sentencing of the six men to life in prison for the murder of Italy’s ambassador and his colleagues is a significant development in the case. The verdict sends a strong message about the importance of justice and the rule of law, particularly in resolving such heinous crimes. While the appeal against the life sentences is expected to continue, the tribunal’s decision is a step towards accountability and justice for the victims and their families