Mann awaits verdict in E Guinea

Former British soldier Simon Mann is waiting to hear the verdict in his trial in Equatorial Guinea for a 2004 coup plot.

Mr Mann, who potentially faces 30 years in prison, has admitted guilt but has tried to convince the court that he was not the most senior coup plotter.

The former SAS officer was held four years ago with 64 others in Zimbabwe.

He served four years in prison there for trying to purchase weapons without a licence before being extradited.

The trial was held at a conference centre in the capital, Malabo, amid heavy security.

It was not immediately clear when the verdict would be issued.

Mr Mann's lawyer appealed for leniency for his client, suggesting he had been a pawn of powerful international businessmen and saying he had been "not a co-author" of the coup plot but "an accomplice".

Public prosecutor Jose Olo Obono said that while Mr Mann had co-operated with the investigation, that did not justify a lighter sentence.

Prison sentences

Eleven other men, including South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit who testified that he had been recruited by Mr Mann, are already serving sentences in Equatorial Guinea in connection with the coup attempt.

Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema since he seized power from his uncle in 1979.

Mann was moved from a jail in Harare to Equatorial Guinea in February

His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.

Transparency International has put the tiny nation in its top 10 corrupt states.

Mr Mann has implicated Sir Mark Thatcher, son of UK former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and London-based millionaire Eli Calil as organisers of the plot.

Sir Mark was fined and received a suspended sentence in South Africa in 2005 for unknowingly helping to finance the plot. He strongly denies any direct involvement. Mr Calil also denies involvement.

Prosecutors at Mr Mann's trial say he plotted with others to overthrow the government of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Documents shown at the trial outlined details of who was to gain what had the coup succeeded.

One suggested that had the coup succeeded, Mr Mann would have been in charge of Equatorial Guinea's Presidential Guard.

Mr Mann said that the documents presented to the court were authentic.

Du Toit said that he had been told they were trying to install an exiled opposition politician, Severo Moto, as president.

Mr Moto has denied involvement in the failed coup.

During a hearing this week, Mr Mann said South Africa and Spain had both given "the green light" for the plot.

Spain, the former colonial power, denied any involvement while South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs said the charge was "as preposterous at it is laughable".

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