Congolese opposition leader given 3 years in prison

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo (AA) - A Congolese court on Wednesday sentenced the country’s opposition candidate for the upcoming presidential election to three years in prison and issued a $1 million fine for illegal selling of property.

Moise Katumbi was sentenced in absentia as he is currently in Europe for medical treatment, according his lawyer, Barthelemy Mumba.

He is accused of falsifying his mother’s signature to acquire and sell property.

Mumba told Anadolu Agency that he will appeal the court’s decision. Katumbi had denied the charges.

Gabriel Kyungu Wa Kumwanza, leader of an opposition coalition, told Anadolu Agency: "This is madness. Katumbi was allowed to seek treatment abroad.

“We see no reason why they [the Congolese authorities] stayed here to prepare small plans to try to damage his reputation and safety. This judgment has neither head nor tail."

Katumbi was recently charged with purportedly recruiting U.S. mercenaries as part of a plot to topple President Joseph Kabila.

He was governor of the copper-rich Katanga province between 2007 and 2015. He became an opposition figure last September after he resigned as governor.