The head of the administration of the President of DR Congo was sentenced to 20 years in prison

The Supreme Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) found the head of the presidential administration guilty of embezzlement of $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. This was reported by Reuters news agency with reference to the decision of the Supreme Judge of DR Congo Pierre Bankendje Mvit. According to agency journalists, convicted Vitaly Kamerhe is the highest-ranking politician convicted of bribery in DR Congo. Camerhe denies stealing money allocated for social housing as part of President Felix Tshisekedi's 100-day construction program, and called the charges political. His lawyer, Jean-Marie Kabengela Ilunga, called the verdict a violation of human rights and said she would appeal. Camerhe supported Tshisekedi in his 2018 election campaign in exchange for supporting Tshisekedi during the campaign in 2023. However, according to a court order, Camerhe will not be able to run for president for ten years after serving his sentence. The arrest on April 8 shocked residents of the country, reporters say.