Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery,...

Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, political and military offenses and genocide. Following the conflict between the Zairean Armed Forces (FAZ) and the Alliance of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of the Congo Zaire (AFDL), in May 1997 the AFDL deposed President Mobutu Sese Seko and formed a transitional government led by Laurent Kabila. The country then changed its name, from Zaire to the Democratic Republic of Congo. On 2 August 1998, a revolt erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was supported by Rwanda and Uganda which invaded the country to support Tutsi-led rebels who continued fighting in the east. President Laurent Kabila fought back with military support from Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe. He also had the support of an array of freelance militia groups operating in the east. Ugandan and Rwandan troops did not withdraw despite international calls for a cease-fire. In October, leaders of Southern African countries with forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo met in Harare for a summit on the conflict. Human rights groups accused all sides in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo of committing atrocities against civilians caught in the middle of the conflict. The crime rate in the former Zaire had soared because firearms were circulating freely following Kabila's 7-month armed campaign that toppled the veteran president. In August 1997, Kabila set up tribunals to deal with escalating insecurity and indiscipline within the army. The tribunals operate on the basis that the country is still at war. Although the COM (Cour d'ordre militaire) was set up to try soldiers accused of military offences, it has also tried civilians accused of political and economic offences, many of whom are political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. It has sentenced hundreds of people to death, of which up to 250 have been executed. The court's proceedings have consistently contravened both international standards for fair trial and United Nations standards protecting the rights of those facing the death penalty. Its statute prohibits appeal to a higher jurisdiction, leaving defendants with no opportunity to challenge convictions and sentences, except to appeal for presidential clemency. (See 1999)