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Pardoned Briton's joy at return | Pardoned Briton's joy at return |
(10 minutes later) | |
Former British soldier Simon Mann has expressed his joy at being freed from prison in Equatorial Guinea and said it is "the best early Christmas present". | Former British soldier Simon Mann has expressed his joy at being freed from prison in Equatorial Guinea and said it is "the best early Christmas present". |
Mann, 57, arrived at Luton airport after being pardoned and released from a 34-year jail term in the West African state for his part in a coup plot. | Mann, 57, arrived at Luton airport after being pardoned and released from a 34-year jail term in the West African state for his part in a coup plot. |
In a statement, he said it was "the most wonderful homecoming". | In a statement, he said it was "the most wonderful homecoming". |
He also said he was looking forward to meeting his son Arthur - born while he was in prison - for the first time. | He also said he was looking forward to meeting his son Arthur - born while he was in prison - for the first time. |
Mann's spokesman, Ian Monk, read a statement from him in which he said he had spent "five and a half tough years" in prison "much of it in solitary confinement". | Mann's spokesman, Ian Monk, read a statement from him in which he said he had spent "five and a half tough years" in prison "much of it in solitary confinement". |
"There hasn't been a moment in the last five and a half years when I have not dreamt of being back in Britain with my family," he said. | "There hasn't been a moment in the last five and a half years when I have not dreamt of being back in Britain with my family," he said. |
"I'm hugely grateful to President Obiang for releasing me. It's the best, best early Christmas present I could have possible ever imagined." | "I'm hugely grateful to President Obiang for releasing me. It's the best, best early Christmas present I could have possible ever imagined." |
'A pawn' | 'A pawn' |
Mann was arrested in Zimbabwe in March 2004, along with 63 others, after they flew in from South Africa. | Mann was arrested in Zimbabwe in March 2004, along with 63 others, after they flew in from South Africa. |
They were suspected of being mercenaries intent on toppling Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. | They were suspected of being mercenaries intent on toppling Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. |
Mann served three years in a Zimbabwean jail before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea in 2008 where he was tried and convicted. | Mann served three years in a Zimbabwean jail before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea in 2008 where he was tried and convicted. |
He admitted conspiring to oust President Obiang, but said he had only been "a pawn" in the plot. | He admitted conspiring to oust President Obiang, but said he had only been "a pawn" in the plot. |
On Tuesday, the president pardoned and released him on humanitarian grounds, citing his health - Mann had a hernia operation in 2008. | On Tuesday, the president pardoned and released him on humanitarian grounds, citing his health - Mann had a hernia operation in 2008. |
Before leaving Equatorial Guinea, Mann, who used to live in Beaulieu, Hampshire, expressed regret for his part in the foiled coup. | Before leaving Equatorial Guinea, Mann, who used to live in Beaulieu, Hampshire, expressed regret for his part in the foiled coup. |
"It was wrong and I'm happy that we did not succeed," he said. | "It was wrong and I'm happy that we did not succeed," he said. |
'Face justice' | |
The former SAS soldier also reiterated his claims that London-based Lebanese millionaire Ely Calil and Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, had been involved in the plot. | The former SAS soldier also reiterated his claims that London-based Lebanese millionaire Ely Calil and Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, had been involved in the plot. |
"I am very anxious that Calil, Thatcher and one or two of the others should face justice," he said. | "I am very anxious that Calil, Thatcher and one or two of the others should face justice," he said. |
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. |
He said on Tuesday that he was "delighted" to learn of Mann's release. Mr Calil, who denies any wrongdoing, also said he was "thrilled" at the news. | He said on Tuesday that he was "delighted" to learn of Mann's release. Mr Calil, who denies any wrongdoing, also said he was "thrilled" at the news. |
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating whether any offences relating to the coup plot could have been committed in the UK. | The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating whether any offences relating to the coup plot could have been committed in the UK. |