Equatorial Guinea

Mercenary blames London millionaire for 2004 coup attempt

Article published on the 2008-06-19 Latest update 2008-06-20 09:55 TU

British mercenary Simon Mann told a court in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday that South Africa, Spain and the US had backed a 2004 coup attempt in the small west African country. On Thursday he named London millionaire, Ely Calil, as the man behind the plot.

Mann is currently on trial in the capital Malabo for his part in the attempt to remove President Teodoro Obiang Nguema from power.

Mann said the coup aimed to install Severo Moto as leader of the country. He claimed that he had received a "green light" from South African secret services and explained that the alleged support from Spain was due to the fact that Equatorial Guinea was a former colony.

He also said that the US and unidentified oil companies wanted a change of government, as they considered Obiang Nguema's rule unstable.

Mann named Ely Calil as the mastermind behind the coup attempt and claimed that he and his troops were unable to act without Calil's authorisation.

Mann  also named Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as a key member of the plot. Thatcher pleaded guilty in 2005 to breaking South Africa's anti-mercenary laws and Equatorial Guinea has issued an international arrest warrant for him.

The trial, originally scheduled to close on Thursday, will continue until Friday.