India, Nov. 10 -- A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, military mutiny and refusing to obey orders during operations in the conflict-hit eastern region.

The verdict was delivered late on November 6 by the Goma Garrison Military Court, sitting in Walikale-centre in North Kivu province, after a 12-day trial involving 71 soldiers from the Congolese army's 3415th Regiment, according to the Congolese News Agency and local reports.

The soldiers had been arrested on October 20 in Ngora village over incidents in Ntonto, in Walikale territory. Military authorities accused them of offences including abandoning their positions and disobeying orders amid the fighting in the region. ...