DRC: Former Special Advisor François Beya Acquitted of Assassination Plot

Edited By: Widad WAHBI

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has acquitted François Beya, former special advisor to President Félix Tshisekedi, who was arrested in 2022 on charges of plotting to assassinate the head of state. He was also accused of disobeying orders and encouraging soldiers to neglect their duties.

Beya, who began his career under Mobutu Sese Seko and rose through the ranks under Joseph Kabila, was appointed special security advisor when Tshisekedi took office in 2019. He gained significant influence over intelligence and defense matters, but his position also caused tensions within the presidential circle.

After a three-year closed-door trial, judges concluded that the prosecution relied on a “juxtaposition of isolated facts taken out of context” and that Beya had been the victim of a plot rather than its instigator.

The prosecution had presented audio recordings and testimonies of Beya’s criticisms of the president. However, the court deemed these pieces of evidence inconclusive and ruled in favor of his acquittal.