KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo

The public prosecutor sought the death penalty Friday against former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila, who is on trial in absentia.

Military auditor general, Liet. Gen. Likulia Bakumi Lucien-Rene, underscored a range of crimes, including the killing of civilians, rapes, summary executions, forced deportations and cruel destructions allegedly committed in occupied areas by the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), or Congo River Alliance, a rebel coalition in eastern Congo that includes the M23.

Lucien-Rene argued before the High Military Court that he established a link between the rebel movement and Kabila, noting that the defendant described rebel acts as “the aspirations of the people,” highlighting the return of fighting to the east occupied by rebels, and welcomed the fighter to galvanize troops.

The prosecution contended that all elements of the offenses converged in the defendant, labeling Kabila, who left the DRC two years ago, as the “intellectual author” of the crimes.

Kibla is also accused of plotting to overthrow President Felix Tshisekedi.

The prosecution sought the death penalty for all of the charges, except for “praising terrorist acts” and conspiracy, for which it requested 20 and 15 years, respectively, It also requested a sequestration of assets, costs, bodily constraint and immediate detention.

Kabila’s supporters have said the case targets a political rival, describing the charges as a “political persecution” to sideline a powerful figure.

Kabila's party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), decried the move as a “set-up” to sideline a major opposition figure.