The team, including one American, was investigating human rights violations Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have found the bodies of two United Nations investigators, including an American, and a Congolese interpreter missing for more than two weeks. The incident marks the first killing…
Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have found the bodies of two United Nations investigators, including an American, and a Congolese interpreter missing for more than two weeks.
The incident marks the first killing of international aid workers in Congo’s Central Kasai province and the first time UN experts have been reported missing in the country, according to Human Rights Watch.
American Michael Sharp, 34, and Swede Zaida Catalan, 36, went with their interpreter Betu Tshintela on March 12 to research reports of large-scale violence and human rights violations by the country’s army and militia groups in the province. Three other Congolese who accompanied the group remain missing.
Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende said villagers found the bodies in a shallow grave and alerted police officials. Mende told the BBC “the body of the woman was found beheaded.” The confirmation followed several identification tests, he said.
