Congolese presidential hopeful Moise Katumbi has been sentenced in absentia to 36 months in prison. The wealthy businessman, who owns one of Africa's biggest football clubs, is currently out of Democratic Republic Congo seeking medical treatment.


The 51-year-old was found guilty of illegally selling a property in Lubumbashi, his eastern power base.

He had the backing of seven opposition parties to run for the presidency in elections due to be held in November.

He was accused of hiring foreign mercenaries in an alleged plot against the state, which he denied.  

Mr Katumbi has condemned the charges against him as an attempt to derail his campaign to replace President Joseph Kabila in elections due in  November.