KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Violent clashes erupted Friday in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, during a rally against a proposed constitutional change that opponents say could pave the way for President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
The demonstration, organized by the opposition coalition C64, was dispersed by police with tear gas after protesters clashed with pro-government supporters outside Parliament.
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Cars burn during a demonstration as Congo's opposition rejects a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
A protester sets a fire in the middle of the road during a demonstration as Congo's opposition rejects a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
Protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
Police clash with protesters at a demonstration as Congo's opposition rejects a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
FILE - Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo speaks during the Homegoing Celebration of Life for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, March 7, 2026, at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
Congo is plagued by multiple crises, including an Ebola outbreak and an escalation of the decades-long conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, one of more than 100 armed groups vying for control in the eastern provinces.
Tshisekedi, 62, has been in office since 2019, and is due to complete his second five-year term in 2028. He has said he would be willing to seek a third term if approved by voters in a referendum.
The Congolese Constitution bars any revision of presidential term limits. However, a bill under consideration in the National Assembly, a lower chamber, would allow the president to amend those provisions in the event of a “major dysfunction” that paralyzes state institutions, potentially following a referendum.
The country’s main opposition parties, which have been divided in recent years, joined forces in May under the banner of C64, or Coalition Article 64, to oppose what they describe as an attempt by Tshisekedi to remain in power. The coalition has called the proposed changes a “serious threat” to the country’s stability.
The rally on Friday descended into clashes between opposition supporters and pro-government activists before police intervened.
Among those injured was Martin Fayulu, runner-up in the 2018 presidential election and one of Congo’s most prominent opposition figures. A video posted on his official Facebook page showed Fayulu with blood visible around his eyes and on the collar of his white shirt as supporters helped him through a crowd.
AP’s Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
Cars burn during a demonstration as Congo's opposition rejects a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
A protester sets a fire in the middle of the road during a demonstration as Congo's opposition rejects a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
Protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
Police clash with protesters at a demonstration as Congo's opposition rejects a proposed constitutional change in Kinshasa, Congo, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ekutshu Yannick)
FILE - Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo speaks during the Homegoing Celebration of Life for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, March 7, 2026, at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Attorneys for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk asked a judge Friday to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty as punishment for comments they made in the media about a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk’s body.
The comments were made in response to speculation that the bullet fragment could exonerate defendant Tyler Robinson. Conjecture over the evidence in Kirk’s killing has fueled unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that there might have been a second shooter or that his death was staged.
Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. The 23-year-old from southwestern Utah is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 killing of Kirk, a conservative activist who was shot in the neck while addressing a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
Robinson’s attorneys accused prosecutors of going on a “media tour” to discuss expert reports about the bullet fragment, violating the judge's restrictions against speaking about the case outside court.
Prosecutors countered that they had a right to speak to the press to correct misinformation about a preliminary finding by ballistics experts. Those experts' initial tests did not match the bullet fragment with a gun that investigators believe was used to kill Kirk.
In court filings, defense attorneys made public a federal agency's failure to conclusively link the bullet fragment with the rifle. They said it appeared to be “exculpatory evidence” — information that tends to absolve a defendant of guilt — without noting that the finding was preliminary and that further testing was planned.
That spurred stories by some publications raising questions about the prosecution's case: A March 30 headline in the U.K.-based Daily Mail reported that the bullet that killed Kirk “did NOT match” the rifle investigators say was used to kill Kirk.
Authorities have said DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the rifle.
“The rules expressly allow lawyers to set the record straight,” Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard wrote in a court filing.
Ballard argued Friday that he didn't speak to the media about case specifics and only spoke generally about how ballistics testing can be inconclusive. He said his goal “was to respond to the substantial undue prejudicial effect of the media stories.”
Defense attorney Richard Novak disagreed, saying Ballard did not speak to the media using general terms and tried to “influence public perception” of the case.
“What was going on here was an attempt to influence the jury pool,” Novak argued.
State District Judge Tony Graf said he will issue his decision about the contempt allegation on June 22.
Earlier Friday, Graf declined a defense request to halt the proceedings while they appeal a June 1 order in which the judge declined to bar cameras from the courtroom.
The ruling comes ahead of a key hearing scheduled to begin July 6, when prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to warrant a trial. That would mark the most significant presentation of evidence to date in the case, which has so far focused on matters of media access.
Before Friday's hearing, the defense team pointed to another criminal case in which prosecutors were accused of contempt and suggested that one potential remedy would be to bar the state from seeking the death penalty.
While the judge in that earlier case disagreed that an order barring the death penalty was merited, Robinson’s attorneys noted that “the court did not conclude that such a remedy was beyond its authority where the facts support it.”
Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf in Provo listens during a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth /The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)
Defense attorney Richard Novak in Fourth District Court appears during a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth /The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)
Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander attends a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth /The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)
Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth /The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)
FILE - Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, on Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool, File)
