Zim adds charges to list
2004-03-18 14:24
Harare, Zimbabwe - Judicial authorities are still putting the "final touches" to charges against 67 suspected mercenaries and their three-man flight crew detained in Zimbabwe 10 days ago, state radio reported Thursday.
Members of the group, accused of plotting a coup in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, had been expected to make their first court appearance on Wednesday. But authorities have been adding to the list of charges they will face.
Attorney General Bharat Patel told the station that charges under Zimbabwe's sweeping security laws are being prepared, in addition to the alleged violations of immigration and firearms laws which have already been formally presented to the accused.
The Public Order and Security Act provides for offences involving rocket launchers and other weapons not covered under regular firearms laws, Patel said.
The men's lawyers were informed they would be charged with conspiring to acquire weapons, but were not given details, defence attorney Jonathan Samkange said.
Authorities say they made a false declaration concerning the number of passengers aboard the plane and its final destination.
No weapons were found on the aircraft. But three of the suspects, who were at the airport to meet the plane, are accused of trying to purchase weapons from the state arms manufacturer, Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Zimbabwe investigators allege that Spanish-based rebel leader Severo Moto offered the suspects $1.8m and oil rights to overthrow the government in Equatorial Guinea. Fifteen suspected mercenaries were also arrested in that country last week.
Most of the charges mentioned so far are relatively minor. However, on Tuesday, the men's lawyers were informed they would also be facing charges of conspiring to kill Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Ngeuma and his bodyguards - a capital offence.
Defence attorneys have questioned whether Zimbabwe has jurisdiction over an alleged conspiracy in another country.
While it is unclear what section of the security act will be used, some offences are punishable by life in prison.
The government had also raised the possibility of charges under a colonial-era law banning activities of "foreign subversive organisations." But Patel said on Wednesday the law was outdated and "of very limited scope".
Regional leaders have distanced themselves from the alleged coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
"It is regrettable that people considering themselves to be Namibian citizens would link up with their former commanders to go to other countries," Namibian Information Minister Nangolo Mbumba said on Wednesday. "If this story is true, it is embarrassing."
Zimbabwe authorities have sought to make the most of the arrests.
The state broadcaster has started referring to the suspects as "terrorists," saying their capture puts Zimbabwe "in the forefront of the global fight against terrorism".
- AP