Nzapali, Sebastien fr

Country of proceedings: The Netherlands
Context of crimes: Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: 2004
Keywords: Torture

In 1996, Sebastien Nzapali, alias “le roi des bêtes”, was commander of the Garde Civile and stationed in Matadi, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). He ordered his subordinates / bodyguards to arrest a customs officer. The customs officer was taken to the terrain of the Garde Civile, where he was put in a cell and systematically tortured during a couple of days. Sebastien Nzapali watched the victim being abused from his balcony. The purpose of the torture was to punish the victim for not clearing the car of a friend of Sebastien Nzapali through customs. The District Court of Rotterdam found Sebastien Nzapali guilty of participation in the commission of torture and sentenced him to two years and six months’ imprisonment.

Court documents

 07-04-2004 - District Court Judgement (Dutch)