Belgium – HLN, February 04, 2025
Belgian military expert Jean-Jacques Wondo was released on Tuesday afternoon after nearly nine months of detention in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Wondo, who was arrested last May in the aftermath of an alleged coup attempt and sentenced to death, is now en route to the Belgian embassy in Congo. This was confirmed by political scientist Nadia Nsayi, who is close to the family.
Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian citizen and military expert, had been detained for nine months in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was initially sentenced to death in a trial for attempting a coup. His family maintains his innocence.
Two weeks ago, over 400 judges, professors, academics, and officials signed an open letter to the Belgian government urging it to do everything in its power to ensure Wondo received proper medical care. According to his family, his health was deteriorating rapidly. King Philippe and former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also discussed his case with Congo on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
