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E Guinea grants pardon for Mann E Guinea grants pardon for Mann
(20 minutes later)
Former British soldier Simon Mann, sentenced to 34 years for a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea, has been pardoned by the country's president.Former British soldier Simon Mann, sentenced to 34 years for a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea, has been pardoned by the country's president.
A presidential adviser told BBC News Mann and four South Africans jailed alongside him had been pardoned and had to leave the country within 24 hours.A presidential adviser told BBC News Mann and four South Africans jailed alongside him had been pardoned and had to leave the country within 24 hours.
Mann, who was sentenced in July 2008, admitted conspiring to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema during his trial.Mann, who was sentenced in July 2008, admitted conspiring to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema during his trial.
Mann's family said they were "absolutely delighted."Mann's family said they were "absolutely delighted."
Their statement said: "Everyone is profoundly grateful to the President and the government of Equatorial Guinea.
"The whole family is overjoyed at the prospect of finally welcoming Simon home after five-and-a-half long years away."
The adviser, Miguel Mifuno said Mann had been released on humanitarian grounds related to his health. Mann had a hernia operation in 2008.The adviser, Miguel Mifuno said Mann had been released on humanitarian grounds related to his health. Mann had a hernia operation in 2008.
'Live in peace''Live in peace'
Mr Mifuno said: "Simon Mann conducted himself in exemplary fashion during his trial and his incarceration in Equatorial Guinea.Mr Mifuno said: "Simon Mann conducted himself in exemplary fashion during his trial and his incarceration in Equatorial Guinea.
"He has had some health problems, and was operated on. He is now in good health but the president thinks he should now be allowed to live in peace with his family.""He has had some health problems, and was operated on. He is now in good health but the president thinks he should now be allowed to live in peace with his family."
ANALYSIS Antony Goldman,Equatorial Guinea analystANALYSIS Antony Goldman,Equatorial Guinea analyst
Friends of Simon Mann have been hinting quietly for some weeks that his release might be imminent.Friends of Simon Mann have been hinting quietly for some weeks that his release might be imminent.
But the apparent timing, three weeks ahead of presidential elections in Equatorial Guinea, would be something of a surprise in a country where officials constantly fear concessions might be interpreted as weakness.But the apparent timing, three weeks ahead of presidential elections in Equatorial Guinea, would be something of a surprise in a country where officials constantly fear concessions might be interpreted as weakness.
The 2004 African mercenary escapade in which Mann was the central player was marked by intrigue, betrayal and deceit - and that was just on the part of the plotters.The 2004 African mercenary escapade in which Mann was the central player was marked by intrigue, betrayal and deceit - and that was just on the part of the plotters.
If he is out and free to speak his mind, probably he alone will be able to explain what went on, why it failed and who was to blame.If he is out and free to speak his mind, probably he alone will be able to explain what went on, why it failed and who was to blame.
Mr Mifuno told BBC News Nick du Toit, a South African convicted for taking part in the attempted coup, had also been pardoned.Mr Mifuno told BBC News Nick du Toit, a South African convicted for taking part in the attempted coup, had also been pardoned.
He said the releases were timed to coincide with a visit to Equatorial Guinea by South African President Jacob Zuma.He said the releases were timed to coincide with a visit to Equatorial Guinea by South African President Jacob Zuma.
The Foreign Office said it understood it was a personal decision by the president on humanitarian grounds.The Foreign Office said it understood it was a personal decision by the president on humanitarian grounds.
Equatorial Guinea's Supreme Court Judge told the BBC that Mann would be leaving jail on Tuesday and his family were due out on Tuesday morning.Equatorial Guinea's Supreme Court Judge told the BBC that Mann would be leaving jail on Tuesday and his family were due out on Tuesday morning.
Justice Obono Olo also said he had met Mann in the past few days and said he was, "in good health."Justice Obono Olo also said he had met Mann in the past few days and said he was, "in good health."
BBC Africa bureaux editor, Sara Halfpenny, said Mann was very unlikely to travel to Johannesburg as he ran the risk of being arrested under the South Africa Mercenary Act.BBC Africa bureaux editor, Sara Halfpenny, said Mann was very unlikely to travel to Johannesburg as he ran the risk of being arrested under the South Africa Mercenary Act.
Scotland Yard wanted to talk to Mann about possible involvement of Ely Calil and Sir Mark Thatcher in the coup, she added.Scotland Yard wanted to talk to Mann about possible involvement of Ely Calil and Sir Mark Thatcher in the coup, she added.
Sources in Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command have confirmed to the BBC that there is an ongoing investigation into whether any offences relating to the coup were committed in the UK.
'Pawn''Pawn'
In March 2004, Mann and 63 others were arrested in Zimbabwe on board a plane which arrived from South Africa. Its destination was Equatorial Guinea.In March 2004, Mann and 63 others were arrested in Zimbabwe on board a plane which arrived from South Africa. Its destination was Equatorial Guinea.
His extradition came after he had served four years in prison in Zimbabwe for trying to purchase weapons without a licence.His extradition came after he had served four years in prison in Zimbabwe for trying to purchase weapons without a licence.
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.
Mann's lawyer had asked for leniency, saying his client was a pawn of powerful international businessmen and he had been "not a co-author" of the coup plot but "an accomplice".Mann's lawyer had asked for leniency, saying his client was a pawn of powerful international businessmen and he had been "not a co-author" of the coup plot but "an accomplice".
The former special forces officer apologised, saying he was not the most senior coup plotter.The former special forces officer apologised, saying he was not the most senior coup plotter.
Mann had implicated Sir Mark Thatcher, son of UK former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and London-based millionaire Ely Calil as organisers of the plot.Mann had implicated Sir Mark Thatcher, son of UK former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and London-based millionaire Ely Calil as organisers of the plot.
Sir Mark, who now lives in southern Spain, was fined and received a suspended sentence in South Africa in 2005 for unknowingly helping to finance the plot.Sir Mark, who now lives in southern Spain, was fined and received a suspended sentence in South Africa in 2005 for unknowingly helping to finance the plot.
After Mann's verdict, Sir Mark reiterated to the BBC that he had had no direct involvement. He said he had known nothing about any plan to overthrow the government and added that he had already faced justice in South Africa.After Mann's verdict, Sir Mark reiterated to the BBC that he had had no direct involvement. He said he had known nothing about any plan to overthrow the government and added that he had already faced justice in South Africa.