Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
E.Guinea pardons mercenary behind 2004 coup plot
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
E.Guinea pardons mercenary behind 2004 coup plot
AFP - Wednesday, November 4
Send
IM Story
Print
British mercenary Simon Mann is pictured at Malabo's courthouse in 2008. Equatorial Guinea has granted amnesty to Mann and South African Nick Du Toit, two mercenaries convicted for an attempted coup plot in March 2004, national radio has announced.
MALABO (AFP) - – Equatorial Guinea granted amnesty to ailing British mercenary Simon Mann and four others imprisoned for a 2004 failed coup plot in the oil-rich west African nation, national radio announced Tuesday.
Mann, educated at Britain's elite schools and a former Special Air Service officer, was expected to be released "imminently" from his jail cell in Equatorial Guinea after being sentenced last year to 34 years behind bars, British officials said.
"We understand this was a personal decision by the president of Equatorial Guinea on humanitarian grounds," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said in London.
Mann, 57, was operated on last year for a hernia and the state of his health was one of the reasons for the amnesty decision, national radio said in broadcasting the degree dated November 2.
The decree said Mann needed "regular medical treatment near his family" and also that he had shown "credible signs of repentance and the desire to be reinserted in society".
Mann was arrested in March 2004 along with 61 other suspected coup plotters when their plane landed in Zimbabwe. He also implicated Mark Thatcher, the son of Britain's former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in the plot to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
His South African co-conspirator in the plot, Nick Du Toit, was also granted amnesty along with three others convicted in the affair.
Mann, who attended Britain's prestigious Eton school and Sandhurst military academy, was said to be the brains behind the coup attempt.
It was aimed at overthrowing Obiang Nguema, who has ruled the country with an iron hand since a 1979 coup that ousted his uncle, and bringing exiled opposition leader Severo Moto to power.
Mann and Du Toit had set up Executive Outcomes, which operated from Pretoria in South Africa and helped the Angolan government protect its oil installations from rebels during that country's long civil war.
Mann, who lived in the posh Cape Town suburb of Constantia -- also home to Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, and Mark Thatcher -- allegedly used the 'old boy' network to finance his deals, media reports said.
Thatcher, who pleaded guilty in a South African court to financing the planned coup, was given a four-year suspended prison sentence.
The announcement of releasing the convicted mercenaries came as Equatorial Guinea opens its presidential election campaign on Thursday. The vote is set for November 29 and Obiang Nguema is seeking another mandate.
The former Spanish colony is Africa's third biggest oil producer after Nigeria and Angola following the discovery of large offshore oil deposits in the early 1990s, but the benefits have yet to trickle down to the people.
Obiang Nguema in 1987 created the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), which dominates the political apparatus and leads a coalition of nine parties among the 13 that are legally recognised.
Since multiparty politics were introduced in 1991, the PDGE has easily won all elections.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Exiled group says Iranian nuclear site needs check AP - 55 minutes ago
Buying into a Christmas without presents AP - 56 minutes ago
$25 or under gifts that say `I thought about you' AP - 57 minutes ago
Ease holiday stress: Shop around the calendar AP - 58 minutes ago
GOP senators absent at start of climate debate AP - 59 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Britain breaks up RBS, Lloyds in big bang for banking
Eurozone jobless rate to rise into 2011: EU
Eurozone unemployment to hit 10.7% in 2010: EU
Eurozone growth to hit 0.7% in 2010: EU
UBS piles up losses, clients withdraw assets
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Ship forged with 9/11 steel sails into New York
Polanski sex case appeal set for December 10
Royal Bank of Scotland says it will cut 3,700 jobs
Slumdog stars 'may lose allowance' for skipping school
Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old
More Most Viewed »
Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 3 November 2009 Under pressure Iran wants review of nuclear fuel deal
Ford post surprise earnings, sees solid profit by 2011
Eurozone manufacturing expands in 17-month first
Clinton lauds Israeli offer to restrict building
Lindsay Lohan Recalls Scary Encounter With Gun-Wielding Man In Morocco
Presidents of 23 Top Private Universities Earned $1 Million Last Year
Iran ready for new talks on nuclear fuel
Iran Guards warn opposition against rallies
| International
|
Canadian sent to Syria can't sue U.S. over torture
| International
|
Roman Polanski's Offer Of Higher Bail Rejected
UN will respect Afghan decision on run-off: Ban
Ryan Seacrest's Alleged Stalker Arrested
Lil Wayne And Birdman Hit With Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
Businessman shot dead near Putin's office
| International
|
Iran Guards warn opposition against November 4 rallies
Nicole Richie Obtains TROs Against Two Paparazzi
Croat parliament approves Slovenia border deal
| International
|
North Korea calls for direct talks with U.S.
| International
|
Putin says Berlin Wall's fall was inevitable
| International
|
Muslim ex-Gitmo detainees face challenges in Palau
Inquiry of 6 bodies in Ohio focuses on 8-9 women
Leno says he'd return to 'Tonight' if NBC asked
Suicide bomber kills 35 near Pakistan's capital
CDC: Contaminated beef may be linked to 2 deaths
Rescue under way after boat sinks off Australia
Republicans To Boycott Committee Debate Of Boxer-Kerry Climate Bill
Imam pleads not guilty to NYC terror charges
AP NewsAlert
USDA: Glitch with foreign SS numbers is fixed
Corruption Trial Of New York Republican Stalwart Joseph Bruno Begins
Sri Lanka protests US move to question general
Apple Cuts Support For Intel Atom Processor To Stop OS X Spread In Netbooks
US military: American soldier dies in Iraq
NetEase gets China non-approval notice
| Technology
|
A Day Before Polls Open, Maine Voters Divided About Repealing Gay Marriage Law
Facebook Wins $711m Judgment Against Spammer Who Hacked Site
Tajikistan set to free 10,000 prisoners
Officials: Bay Bridge to reopen Monday morning
Thai lawmakers apply for discounted guns, permits
Lobbyists Spending Increases As Health Care Debate Rages On
Justices seem unwilling to get involved in fees
Fearing climate change, Maldives turns to wind
Rule would boost unions at airlines, railroads
Study: Man-eating lions consumed 35 people in 1898
Presidents of 23 Top Private Universities Earned $1 Million Last Year
Bay Bridge To Open Late Monday
GOP Candidate For Congress Withdraws, Endorses Democratic Nominee
Navy Ship Made From World Trade Center Steel Arrives In New York
Pakistani stocks fall sharply on security, politics
Carrey's Scrooge rings in Hollywood holiday spirit
Slinging a guitar not your style? Try 'DJ Hero'
Author Ken Auletta searches for the Google story
Gregory Itzin to return for another round on '24'
Processed food link to depression: research
Jewish-Muslim music fest is lesson in tolerance
TNT picks up NBC's axed police drama 'Southland'
Rick Riordan trading Greek myths for Egyptian gods
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Arab filmmakers struggle for funds as industry grows
Two actors do all the work in play 'Love Child'
Czech court to rule on key EU reform treaty
Karzai readies for second term as Afghan president
575-million-dollar fund targets technology startups
Polanski sex case appeal set for December 10
Marvell unveils new e-reader platform
Clinton tries to calm Arab anger over settlements
Iran wants new nuclear fuel talks
| International
|
Ford posts surprise earnings, sees solid profit rise
Poor nations face booming breast cancer threat: study
U.N. assembly draft urges action on Gaza war crimes
| International
|
Basketball tycoon shot dead in Moscow
Hilary Duff Offers Fans Personalized Calls For Charity
Royal Bank of Scotland says it will cut 3,700 jobs
Worms infesting computers worldwide: Microsoft
U.N. assembly draft urges action on Gaza "war crimes"
Russia, Britain fail to heal Litvinenko rift
Online holiday sales seen up 8 percent
Iraq urges UN to stop neighbours' meddling
1,147 fish species threatened with extinction: IUCN
Magnitude 5.9 quake hits off Greece: USGS
| International
|
Google voice search learns Chinese
China launches strike hard crackdown in restive west
| International
|
Ship forged with 9/11 steel sails into New York
Half Iraqis killed in October died in one attack
NetEase gets China non-approval notice
Clinton wishes he had left White House "in a coffin"
Former Argentine military ruler in Dirty War trial
| International
|
Carve out clear options, UN climate talks told
Iran Guards warn opposition against November 4 rallies
Iraq: Key figures since the war began
Cuba magazine slams bad taste Castro sister book
| International
|
Iran wants new nuclear fuel talks, deepening doubts
Google voice search learns Chinese
Majority want US base off Japanese island: poll
Online holiday sales seen up 8 percent
| Technology
|
Children direct certified for school lunches
Marvell unveils new e-reader platform
| Technology
|
China sentences gang 'godmother' to 18 years jail
Schools improve certification for school lunches
US envoys in Myanmar for rare talks with junta
FBI investigates nun's death on Navajo reservation
Tropical storm kills 11 in Vietnam
Calif. man gets prison for aiming laser at planes
Indonesian maid jailed for poisoning employer
Attorney: Texas lottery won't pay cheated winner
NKorea still silent on SKorea's food aid offer
US vows to get tough on Karzai
China won't pressure North Korea: think-tank
12 feared dead in Australia boat sinking: official
Memorial service set for slain Seattle officer
343 pounds of sea cucumbers seized at border
Myanmar Rohingyas swap suppression for squalor
Camera found in bathroom of Christian bookstore
`Grave fears' for those missing in boat disaster
Pakistani c.bank sells 8 bln rupees of T-bills
CORRECTED: Big names from Hollywood on Obama's arts committee
FACTBOX-Five political risks to watch for Taiwan
Chinese group buys Delphi Corp. brake unit
ChiNext stocks down in morning trade
NZ commodity prices rise in October
Oscar screenplay race lacking originality
| Entertainment
|
Leno says NBC making money with show's new time
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares fall 0.4 pct; banks slip,defensives up
Nissan to boost Renault battery supply: report
IMF sells 200 tonnes of gold to India
"MasterChef" cooking for Fox
This Is It final box office tally rises
| Entertainment
|
Rihanna says domestic violence could happen to anyone
| Entertainment
|
Bollywood star Kaif takes success in her stride
MasterChef cooking for Fox
| Entertainment
|
US welcomes Taiwan access to US beef imports
Carly Simon bounces back with homemade hits album
| Entertainment
|
Colbert goes for gold, sponsors US speedskating
Microsoft CEO: IT spending won't fully recover
Rihanna says domestic violence could happen to anyone
Man charged with stalking Idol host Seacrest
| Entertainment
|
CORRECTED: Big names from Hollywood on Obama's arts committee
Big names from Hollywood on Obama's arts committee
| Entertainment
|
"This Is It" final box office tally rises
"Conchords" star Clement takes wing in new movie
Iceland, Thailand, London best-value destinations: guide
Half of US kids depend on food stamps during childhood: study
Man charged with stalking "Idol" host Seacrest
DOD To Partner With Taser To Develop Electric Shock Device To Be Used At A Distance
Airline Apologizes After Kicking Mom, Unruly Toddler Off Flight
Halloween Robber Uses Teletubby Costume
British Man Allergic To His Own Wife
Worlds Tallest Hotel to Open In Dubai? Without Drinks
Actor Ewan McGregor Shares Magical Connection With Goat During Filming
Mud Solution For Oil Rig Spill In Timor Sea
Presidents of 23 Top Private Universities Earned $1 Million Last Year
Scottish Soccer Fan Dressed As Sheep Catches Fire On Train
Report: Iraqis returning home can't find work
E.Guinea pardons mercenary behind 2004 coup plot
Scared of flying? Press the fear iButton
Afghan leader Karzai vows inclusive government
| International
|
Eurozone growth to hit 0.7% in 2010: EU
Sony Ericsson unveils its first Android phone
UBS piles up losses, clients withdraw assets
E.Guinea 'pardons mercenaries' in coup attempt
Last Arctic Sea sailors return to Russia
North Korea says has made more arms-grade plutonium
| International
|
"Jewish terrorist" stirs fear of Israeli radicals
Pakistani forces say enter a main Taliban base
| International
|
Czech court clears Lisbon Treaty
Britain breaks up RBS, Lloyds in big bang for banking
Somalia plane hijack attempt thwarted
Czech president Klaus signs EU treaty
| International
|
Afghan run-off would have been better: Karzai
Eq. Guinea pardons UK mercenary Mann for coup plot
| International
|
Czech top court clears EU's reforming Lisbon Treaty
Karadzic says needs more time for genocide defense
| International
|
Rwanda wants U.N. to send genocide convicts home
| International
|
Iranian police warn opposition over November 4 rallies
| International
|
China attacks Dalai Lama for hurting Sino-India ties
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Sony Ericsson unveils its first Android phone
Philippine troops kill 5 al-Qaida-linked militants
First foreigner dies from swine flu in China
NKorea raises threat to get US into direct talks
At least 10 killed in Pakistan train collision
Fiji orders Australian, NZ diplomats out
Afghan President Karzai promises reform
Judge rethinks denying damages in Mass. mob case
Obama welcomes foreign leaders to the White House
Clinton offers U.S. aid to help boost Muslim ties
Blaze at leaking Australian oil rig 'contained'
Buses, subways halted by Philly transit strike
Philippines peace talks at risk after priest's kidnapping
Pakistan train collision 'kills 14'
The nation's weather
LA mayor to announce pick for new police chief
Best Buy plans movie download service with Sonic
| Technology
|
Malaysian lawmaker, 5 others charged with graft
GOP senators absent at start of climate debate
Scared of flying? Press the fear iButton
| Technology
|
Sony Ericsson unveils its first Android phone
| Technology
|
2 tough health care issues remain in the House
Online holiday sales seen up 8 percent
| Technology
|
Merkel meets with Obama, then talks to Congress
Lawmakers seek ban on laptops in airliner cockpits
Hit streaming service Spotify eyes U.S. music fans
| Technology
|
NetEase, Activision caught up in China turf war
| Technology
|
Big names from Hollywood on Obama's arts committee
Edmund Chen's son has plans to enter showbiz
Takeshi Kaneshiro considering a career advancement in Hollywood
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Berlin holds MTV awards, 20 years after fall of Wall
Big names from Hollywood on Obama's arts committee
China Unicom eyes one mln 3G subscribers per month
Over 1,000 fish species 'threatened with extinction'
E! to launch Asian version of flagship news show
China oil company starts work on Myanmar pipeline
Asia travel to rebound modestly in '10, group says
Carrey stars in 'Christmas Carol' remake
Philippine phone company says profit up 49 percent
SKorea's LG Display signs deal for plant in China
FACTBOX-Five political risks to watch in Pakistan
Fenced in but defiant in Israeli-occupied West Bank
Italy, the rice basket of Europe
Seoul shares end 0.6 pct lower weighed by banks
Sculpting the legacy of India's 'Dalit Queen'
Philippines' PLDT core net profit up 11 pct
Oscar screenplay race lacking originality
Berlin holds MTV awards, 20 years after fall of Wall
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights