Equatorial Guinea seeks to unravel coup plot

[seemslikeadream]

By Karyn Maughan



Equatorial Guinea authorities want to ask Mark Thatcher if he has ever met with one of the oil-rich country's exiled opposition leaders - and if he has ever been known by the name "Scratcher".

The queries are part of 42 listed questions that Equatorial Guinea authorities hoped to put to Thatcher in the Wynberg magistrate's court on Wednesday, as part of the trial of 19 suspected mercenaries in the country's capital Malabo.

Thatcher was arrested on August 25 in Cape Town in connection with allegations that he bankrolled the alleged plot to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema to the tune of $275 000 (about R1,7-million).

Thatcher was granted a two-month reprieve on Tuesday from the court order that he answer questions written by Equatorial Guinea prosecutors.

Thatcher, who says he is innocent of playing any part in the alleged coup, contends that the subpoena compelling him to answer questions related to the alleged coup plot is unlawful.

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