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| Simon Mann: Mercenary and coup plotter dies | Simon Mann: Mercenary and coup plotter dies |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former British Army officer and mercenary Simon Mann, who was part of a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea in 2004, has died of a heart attack while exercising, friends confirmed. | Former British Army officer and mercenary Simon Mann, who was part of a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea in 2004, has died of a heart attack while exercising, friends confirmed. |
| The 72-year-old made millions of pounds from protecting businesses in conflict zones before he took part in the failed attempt to overthrow the west African nation's ruler. | The 72-year-old made millions of pounds from protecting businesses in conflict zones before he took part in the failed attempt to overthrow the west African nation's ruler. |
| Mann was sentenced to 34 years in prison on arms charges and later said he had been the "manager, not the architect" of the scheme. | Mann was sentenced to 34 years in prison on arms charges and later said he had been the "manager, not the architect" of the scheme. |
| In 2009, the ex-SAS commando was pardoned, released and given 48 hours to leave the country. | In 2009, the ex-SAS commando was pardoned, released and given 48 hours to leave the country. |
| The plot had been an attempt to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema - at the time Mann and co-conspirators said the aim was to install exiled opposition leader Severo Moto. | The plot had been an attempt to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema - at the time Mann and co-conspirators said the aim was to install exiled opposition leader Severo Moto. |
| It was uncovered after police in Zimbabwe's capital Harare impounded a plane which had flown in from South Africa. | It was uncovered after police in Zimbabwe's capital Harare impounded a plane which had flown in from South Africa. |
| Mann and more than 60 others were arrested, amid claims they were mercenaries. | Mann and more than 60 others were arrested, amid claims they were mercenaries. |
| They said they were providing security for a mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. | They said they were providing security for a mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
| Simon Mann (second from left) said he had been the attempted coup's "manager, not the architect" | |
| Mann attended private boys' school Eton before studying at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and then joining the Scots Guards. | Mann attended private boys' school Eton before studying at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and then joining the Scots Guards. |
| He became a member of the SAS - the army's special forces unit - and rose through the ranks to become a commander. | He became a member of the SAS - the army's special forces unit - and rose through the ranks to become a commander. |
| In 2011, he said the attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea - which saw him arrested with fellow mercenaries after trying to load weapons onto a plane in Zimbabwe - was foiled by the CIA. | In 2011, he said the attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea - which saw him arrested with fellow mercenaries after trying to load weapons onto a plane in Zimbabwe - was foiled by the CIA. |
| After serving three years of his 34-year sentence in Zimbabwe, he was moved to Black Beach Prison in Equatorial Guinea. | After serving three years of his 34-year sentence in Zimbabwe, he was moved to Black Beach Prison in Equatorial Guinea. |
| Speaking in 2011 about that move, he said "friends, family, and enemies" had told him "if that happens, you have had it, you're a dead man". | Speaking in 2011 about that move, he said "friends, family, and enemies" had told him "if that happens, you have had it, you're a dead man". |
| After being pardoned and released, he expressed regret for what he had done, saying that "however good the money is", the moral case "has to stack up". | After being pardoned and released, he expressed regret for what he had done, saying that "however good the money is", the moral case "has to stack up". |