"Coup trial suspended": Times

[emad]

Snip:
The trial in Equatorial Guinea of 14 men accused of involvement in the alleged plot has been suspended today, after prosecutors requested more information about the alleged role of Sir Mark and other British financiers.

The Attorney General, Jose Olo Obono, asked for the suspension, citing "new revelations" regarding the financing of the alleged conspiracy.The three-judge panel agreed to suspend the trial, giving no indication of when it may resume.

The decision was made despite the objections of defence lawyers, who said the men had already been in prison for six months and had a right to a speedy trial.Equatorial Guinea has asked for Sir Mark to be extradited from South Africa to face questioning.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1240563_2,00.html

[emad]

1. BBC News update:

E Guinea coup plot trial halted

Nich Du Toit in court

SNIP:
"The affair has an international dimension; there are inquiries outside the country that are beyond the remit of this tribunal," said presiding judge Salvador Ondo Nkumu.....


South African Nick du Toit, told the court last week that he was promised "a large amount of money" to lead the coup attempt.

Prosecutors in Malabo have said the country's opposition leader, Severo Moto, offered the men $1.8m, together with oil rights to overthrow the government. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema alleges the coup plot was backed by foreign financiers seeking to control of the country's newly unearthed oil assets.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3614190.stm

[seemslikeadream]

2. Freed Coup Suspects to Face Charges in SA

Business Day (Johannesburg)

August 31, 2004
Posted to the web August 31, 2004

Jonathan Katzenellenbogen , International Affairs Editor With AP
Johannesburg

TWO alleged Equatorial Guinea coup plotters released last Friday by Zimbabwean courts were grilled for nearly three hours by the Scorpions yesterday, and are likely to be charged next week for allegedly contravening SA's laws against mercenary activity.

National Prosecution Authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said the two men , Harry Carlse and Lourens Horne, may be charged under the Foreign Military Assistance Act.

If charged, they will bring to three the number of people arrested in SA over the coup plot.

Mark Thatcher, the Cape Town-based son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was arrested last Wednesday on charges of bankrolling the alleged attempt to unseat the government of Equatorial Guinea.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200408310197.html

[LibLabUK]

3. Amnesty International...

Amnesty opposes extradition of "coup conspirators" to Equitorial Guinea

Amnesty calls for an end to extra-judicial killings, torture and rape in Equitorial Guinea

AI's Equitorial Guinea watchlist

I don't think anyone deserves to be "tried" in that hell-hole.

[emad]

4. How about Jeffrey Archer?

Can't be any worse than Guantanamo...

[LibLabUK]

5. Hmm..

Toughie that one... :)

Nah, I'm resolutely against torture and execution.