The plot took place in the early hours of May 19 in the capital Kinshasa when armed men attacked the home of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe before moving onto the nearby Palais de la Nation that houses President Felix Tshisekedi's offices.

The army later announced an attempted coup had been stopped by the security forces.

The lawyers of Ephraim Mugangu, who co-owns the hotel where some of those involved in the May 19 events stayed, requested he be granted provisional release.

During the trial at a military prison in Kinshasa, his lawyers called on the court to consider "the welfare of the children" of Mugangu, who is a father of four.

After 80 days in detention, Mugangu also "runs the risk of losing his job", the lawyers added.

His wife, Maguy Mata, who co-owns the "Chez Momo 19" hotel with Mugangu, is on trial with him.

Lawyers for Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Congolese naturalised Belgian, likewise submitted a request for his "provisional release" or a "transfer to a specialised medical facility to allow him to receive appropriate care".

The defence said that Wondo, who has diabetes and high blood pressure, "spends nights in the corridor, on the floor".

"His health has deteriorated (and) your court does not need to judge a dead man," his lawyers said.

They had previously made a request for his provisional release which was rejected in June.

Military prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu opposed these demands as "the facts they are accused of are serious".

The court said it would rule on the two requests on August 16.

The trial of the 51 suspects, which includes three Americans, began on June 7.

The alleged plot was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and who was killed by security forces, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge has said.

Four of the defendants who were questioned on Friday placed the responsibility for the alleged coup bid on Malanga.

Another defendant told the court he was working as a security guard next to the hotel where the attackers were staying and had been arrested by force in front of his workplace on the night of the events.

The next court session is scheduled for Monday.