Congo reinstated the death penalty earlier this year, lifting a more than two-decade-old moratorium, as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks in the country. The men convicted in the coup attempt would probably be executed by firing squad.

Three Americans sentenced to death in Congo for a coup attempt have filed an appeal. That's according to their lawyer on Tuesday who spoke to The Associated Press.

Six people were killed during the botched coup attempt led by the little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga in May.