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E Guinea seeks 30 years for Mann E Guinea seeks 30 years for Mann
(30 minutes later)
Prosecutors in Equatorial Guinea have called for British mercenary Simon Mann to serve 30 years in jail for his 2004 coup plot, as his trial got under way.Prosecutors in Equatorial Guinea have called for British mercenary Simon Mann to serve 30 years in jail for his 2004 coup plot, as his trial got under way.
Mr Mann admitted involvement in the plot in March, although he said he was not the "main man" behind it. They have also named Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as a plot organiser.
The ex-SAS officer was arrested in Zimbabwe four years ago with 64 others. Mr Mann admitted his involvement in March, although he said he was not the "main man" behind the plot.
Sir Mark was fined in 2005 and received a suspended sentence in South Africa for unknowingly helping to finance it.
Mr Mann, an ex-SAS officer, was arrested four years ago with 64 others in Zimbabwe.
He served four years in prison there for trying to purchase weapons without a licence before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea earlier this year.He served four years in prison there for trying to purchase weapons without a licence before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea earlier this year.
The trial is being held at a conference centre in the capital, Malabo, and began amid heavy security.The trial is being held at a conference centre in the capital, Malabo, and began amid heavy security.
Notepads banned
Journalists were allowed into the courtroom but made to leave mobile phones, cameras and even pens and notepads outside. News reports said that a verdict was expected by Thursday.Journalists were allowed into the courtroom but made to leave mobile phones, cameras and even pens and notepads outside. News reports said that a verdict was expected by Thursday.
Eleven other men, including South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit who testified that he was recruited by Mr Mann, are already serving sentences in Equatorial Guinea in connection with the coup attempt.Eleven other men, including South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit who testified that he was recruited by Mr Mann, are already serving sentences in Equatorial Guinea in connection with the coup attempt.
We've reached a conclusion that Simon Mann was used as an instrument, but there were material and intellectual authors behind it that financed the operation Teodoro Obiang NguemaPresident of Equatorial Guinea Profile: Simon MannQ&A: Equatorial Guinea 'coup plot'We've reached a conclusion that Simon Mann was used as an instrument, but there were material and intellectual authors behind it that financed the operation Teodoro Obiang NguemaPresident of Equatorial Guinea Profile: Simon MannQ&A: Equatorial Guinea 'coup plot'
Du Toit also said he had been told they were trying to install an exiled opposition politician, Severo Moto, as president. Mr Moto has been sentenced to a long prison term in absentia for his role.Du Toit also said he had been told they were trying to install an exiled opposition politician, Severo Moto, as president. Mr Moto has been sentenced to a long prison term in absentia for his role.
Last week, public prosecutor Jose Olo Obono said Mr Mann would face three charges - crimes against the head of state, crimes against the government and crimes against the peace and independence of the state.Last week, public prosecutor Jose Olo Obono said Mr Mann would face three charges - crimes against the head of state, crimes against the government and crimes against the peace and independence of the state.
He had said Mr Mann could face the death penalty if convicted, but on Tuesday requested a 30-year jail term instead.He had said Mr Mann could face the death penalty if convicted, but on Tuesday requested a 30-year jail term instead.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema told Channel 4 News: "We've reached a conclusion that Simon Mann was used as an instrument, but there were material and intellectual authors behind it that financed the operation."President Teodoro Obiang Nguema told Channel 4 News: "We've reached a conclusion that Simon Mann was used as an instrument, but there were material and intellectual authors behind it that financed the operation."
President Obiang has accused the Spanish government, a former British cabinet minister whom he refuses to name, oil tycoon Eli Calil and Mr Moto, who lives in Spain, of involvement. Both named men have strongly denied any links to the plot.President Obiang has accused the Spanish government, a former British cabinet minister whom he refuses to name, oil tycoon Eli Calil and Mr Moto, who lives in Spain, of involvement. Both named men have strongly denied any links to the plot.
Notorious prison
Mr Mann's lawyer, Jose Pablo Nvo, said he was working for his client "first, to not have a death sentence, and then to stay the least time possible in prison".Mr Mann's lawyer, Jose Pablo Nvo, said he was working for his client "first, to not have a death sentence, and then to stay the least time possible in prison".
Mr Mann, a 55-year-old ex-Etonian who has been held in Malabo's notorious Black Beach prison since being extradited in February, told Channel 4 News a month later that he had been the "manager, not the architect" of the plot to overthrow Mr Obiang.Mr Mann, a 55-year-old ex-Etonian who has been held in Malabo's notorious Black Beach prison since being extradited in February, told Channel 4 News a month later that he had been the "manager, not the architect" of the plot to overthrow Mr Obiang.
'Unwitting conspirator' Mr Mann went on to name those who were "part of the team", including Sir Mark Thatcher.
Mr Mann went on to name those who were "part of the team", including Sir Mark Thatcher, the son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Sir Mark was fined and received a suspended sentence in South Africa in 2005 for his involvement in the coup.
Sir Mark was fined and received a suspended sentence in South Africa for his involvement in the coup.
He has always claimed he was an unwitting conspirator and that, as far as he knew, he was helping finance a new company - an air ambulance business in West Africa.He has always claimed he was an unwitting conspirator and that, as far as he knew, he was helping finance a new company - an air ambulance business in West Africa.
Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President Obiang since he seized power from his uncle in 1979.Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President Obiang since he seized power from his uncle in 1979.
His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.
Transparency International has put the tiny nation in its top 10 corrupt states.Transparency International has put the tiny nation in its top 10 corrupt states.