NEWS: Thatcher Loses Court Bid, page 1

Sir Mark Thatcher lost his bid to avoid answering to the Government of Equatorial Guinea about his alleged roll in financing a failed coupe attempt. The Government of Equatorial Guinea alleges Mr. Thatcher and other British financiers worked in country with mercenaries and American pilots in the failed take over. His legal team continues to maintain his innocence. Claiming that if he is forced to answer Equatorial Guinea's questions it could prejudice his trial in Cape Town. Mr. Thatcher's team also claim his questioning could lead to the conviction and execution of Nick Du Toit, a South African mercenary on trial in Equatorial Guinea for his alleged role in the coup attempt.

www.theaustralian.news.com.au
Thatcher Loses Court Bid
By Elliott Sylvester in Cape Town
November 25, 2004

A SOUTH African court ruled today that Sir Mark Thatcher must answer questions sent by Equatorial Guinea about his alleged role in bankrolling a foiled coup attempt in the oil-rich west African nation. The ruling came the day before Mr. Thatcher, the 51-year-old son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is to go on trial here on charges of violating South Africa's anti-mercenary laws.Equatorial Guinea wants to question a number of prominent Britons, including Mr. Thatcher, about allegations they financed a plot earlier this year to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has ruled Africa's third-largest oil producer for the past 25 years. "That was a long judgment, but most importantly, it reaffirms my right to silence," Mr Thatcher told reporters outside court. He declined further comment, saying he would be studying the 45-page judgment with his legal team.

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I�m sure the African merc�s and American pilots will see jail time from this but I do see it to be a bit inconceivable that Sir Mark will do any time as they say.

[edit on 11-24-2004 by William One Sac]