Three Americans who were facing execution in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a botched coup attempt were returned to U.S. custody amid progress in talks to grant Americans access to rare minerals in the country.

U.S. citizens Marcel Malanga, 22, Tyler Thompson, 22, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, were all instrumental in an attempt to topple the government and assassinate the president of the Central African country in May 2024, federal prosecutors said. The failed coup resulted in their capture and a Congolese military court sentenced them to be executed.

Last week, President Felix Tshisekedi – the target of the coup – commuted their sentences to life in prison and delivered the trio into U.S. custody on Tuesday. American prosecutors on Wednesday unveiled charges against them for their role in the coup attempt that carry a life sentence. But even life in prison on U.S. soil could represent a dramatic improvement in circumstances for the three men. The delivery of the trio into U.S. custody follows high-level talks between American and Congolese officials over security and mining deals. Congo holds some of the largest deposits of rare metals essential for phones, electric cars and computers.