EG: Plotters not innocent

2004-08-25 14:25

Malabo - Equatorial Guinea's attorney general on Wednesday rejected claims that some of the 18 alleged coup-plotters on trial in the tiny central African country were innocent.

"They were all involved in this (coup) bid.

"The charge sheet resumes the level of involvement of each one of them point by point," Jose Olo Obono told AFP.

"They recognise that they set off for the airport, but refuse to admit that they were going there to meet the rest of the team," he said, referring to 70 alleged mercenaries arrested in March in Zimbabwe.

The group is now on trial for its role in the alleged plot to oust Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

"My impression is that they simply want to change tactic and place all the blame on Nick du Toit," the South African businessman accused of being the chief organiser of the supposed coup.

On Monday, when the trial started, Olo Obono called for the death penalty for Du Toit and prison sentences of between 26 and 86 years for the other accused.

"The charges are clear, we have enough evidence to back up the accusations.

"We have weapons, and you yourself have witnessed their contradictory statements," said Olo Obono.

Eight South Africans, six Armenians and four Equato-Guineans are on trial accused of plotting to oust Obiang, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979.

Du Toit has admitted in court that he had a limited role in a coup bid in Equatorial Guinea. He said four Equato-Guinean co-defendants had played no part.

On Tuesday, two South African defendants denied that they had played any part in the alleged coup plot.

- AFP