Mercenary suspects plead guilty to lesser charges in Zimbabwe

[seemslikeadream]

AP
Wednesday, July 28, 2004

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - All but three of 70 suspected mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea pleaded guilty yesterday to lesser charges in Zimbabwe and were immediately convicted.

The 67 men admitted breaching Zimbabwe's immigration and aviation laws when they flew to Harare in March, offenses punishable by up to two years in jail. They were arrested in Zimbabwe and accused of seeking weapons here to use in overthrowing Equatorial Guinea's president.

Defense attorney Alwyn Griebenow said all 70 would plead innocent when more serious conspiracy, security and firearms charges are considered Wednesday.

Chief prosecutor Stephen Musona accepted the guilty pleas and Harare Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe formally convicted the 67 of the lesser charges.

But several of the suspects held up six fingers to relatives gathered in a makeshift courtroom at the Chikurubi maximum security prison, indicating they expected six months in jail, of which they have already served just over 4 1/2 months.
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http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20040727T230000-0500_63547_OBS_MERCENARY_SUSPECTS_PLEAD_GUILTY_TO_LESSER_CHARGES_IN_ZIMBABWE.asp

[Robbien]

1. They are only going to get six months?

They were on a mission to overthrow a government and they are only going to get six months in jail. Now how is that a deterrent for the next batch of Dogs of War?