SIXTY-six soldiers and 14 civilians charged with plotting a coup and other political offences in the Democratic Republic of Congo went on trial on Wednesday. The trial before a military court began in the town of Likasi, in southeastern Katanga province, the report said. According to human rights group ASADHO, the accused have been divided into two groups — one comprising officers arrested in October last year for plotting the overthrow and assassination of then president Laurent Kabila; the other comprising soldiers and civilians who opposed the coming to power of Joseph Kabila when his father Laurent was killed by a bodyguard in January. The second group was arrested in April this year. None of the defendants is accused of involvement in the assassination of Laurent Kabila. – AFP