Zim can't transport 'mercs'
2004-03-22 14:07
Harare - State attorneys say the 70 suspected mercenaries could not be tried in open court because Zimbabwe prison authorities do not have the vehicles to get them there.
The suspects, accused of plotting a coup in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, were arrested when their aircraft landed at Harare International Airport on March 8.
Defense lawyers have asked the Harare High Court to order authorities to conduct their first court appearance at the downtown magistrate's court.
But state attorney Mary Dube said the maximum security jail where the suspects are being held has only one functioning truck, which would have to make up to seven trips to get them there.
State attorneys say the men are trained military personnel likely to stage an escape attempt if they are moved from Chikurubi prison, 25km north of Harare. They want to conduct hearings in a boardroom at the jail, which would be open to the public, Dube said.
Security checkpoints
Defense attorney Francois Joubert said it took the suspects' lawyers up to three hours to get through the numerous security checkpoints on the road to Chikurubi.
He said most of the 67 alleged fighters and their three-man flight crew was South Africans, whose relatives needed Foreign Ministry clearance to visit the prison. Prison authorities have so far refused permission to those already in Harare to visit their relatives, or bring them food and clothing.
"Justice must not only be done, it must be seen done" in a public hearing at a regular court, Joubert said.
Several charges
The suspects are accused of conspiring to kill Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Ngeuma and his bodyguards, conspiring to commit international terrorism and conspiring to acquire weapons for an insurgency or terrorism.
Charges have also been brought under Zimbabwe's immigration and firearms legislation, as well as a colonial-era law banning activities of "foreign subversive organisations."
Zimbabwe authorities say the men 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.
Another 14 suspected mercenaries have been detained in Equatorial Guinea.
Authorities allege that Spanish-based rebel leader Severo Moto offered the suspects US$1.8m and oil rights to overthrow the government in the tiny West African nation, a former Spanish colony.
The men say they were headed to eastern Congo to provide security at mining operations.
- SAPA