British mercenary sentence expected today

BRITISH mercenary Simon Mann, charged with plotting to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea in 2004, will hear the court’s verdict today in Malabo.

The court reconvenes on today when the three-judge panel is expected to read the verdict at 10 a.m. in the conference centre. The trial opened on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 in the capital city and has been covered extensively by the foreign media, including media houses from the United Kingdom.

Since Simon Mann has admitted his guilt, the judges’ deliberations will focus on how many years in prison the Old Etonian should serve for organising the coup. Attorney General Jose Olo Obono is seeking a 32-year minimum jail sentence for the 55-year-old Briton.

Attorney General Jose Olo Obono and Simon Mann’s lawyer Jose Pablo Nvo completed closing arguments on Friday last week.

Attorney General Jose Olo Obono presented a contract signed by the Simon Mann and exiled Equatoguinean politician Severo Moto as proof that the former was the ringleader of the botched 2004 coup and that it was financed by Sir Mark Thatcher, son of ex British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Lebanese oil businessman Eli Calil. Thatcher and Calil have denied involvement.

Equatorial Guinea plans to seek the extradition of Sir Mark Thatcher – who was arrested but struck a plea bargain deal with the South African authorities – and businessman Eli Calil. 

Severo Moto, the prosecutor said, was meant to be the new leader of Equatorial Guinea, giving the Black Beach inmate Simon Mann and partners access to the country’s oil wealth. Financial statements, mobile phone records and other documents were also presented in court as evidence.

Simon Mann, who testified on June 18 and 19 that he was a minor player, identified his signature on the contract.

In a final plea for leniency, defence lawyer Jose Pablo Nvo, argued that his client had cooperated fully with the state and shown remorse.

“My client has put himself in a maze with no escape. He has admitted everything and apologised to the people of this country. The sentence should reflect that,” Attorney Jose Pablo Nvo said.

When asked by the judge if he had anything to add before deliberations, the British mercenary revealed for the first time that he had reluctantly refused a deal offered by Equatorial Guinea in 2004 on advice of his lawyers in Zimbabwe and London.

Verdicts will also be presented for other defendants, Lebanese businessman Mohamed Salaam and six other Equatoguineans early next week.

The trial has been attended by observers, including British Consul David Harries of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Nigeria, and other diplomats stationed in Equatorial Guinea.

Security remains heightened around Equatorial Guinea with uniformed armed forces on patrol.