India, Nov. 11 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has sentenced 66 of its own soldiers to death after a military court found them guilty of offences linked to their conduct during clashes with rebel fighters in the country's eastern region. The soldiers faced charges including fleeing the battlefield, mutiny and disobeying orders from senior military officers.

According to local media reports, a military court conducted the trial of 71 soldiers in Walikale, North Kivu province. Of these, 66 received death sentences, four were acquitted and one was handed a 10-year prison term.

Military officials said the trial was part of efforts to restore discipline within the armed forces as government troops continue operations against r...