Charges upheld against Zim 70
2004-05-12 16:38
Harare - A court in Zimbabwe on Wednesday upheld charges against 70 suspected mercenaries of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea, paving the way for the men to stand trial.
Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe ruled that the men would remain in jail, dismissing the defence's claim that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges against them.
"I am satisfied that there is reasonable suspicion the 70 accused persons committed an offence as alleged by the state.
"The application for refusal of remand is dismissed," he said.
The 70 men, all of whom were travelling on South African passports, were arrested at Harare International Airport in early March and are accused of planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
Fifteen other men were arrested on similar charges in the oil-rich but impoverished Equatorial Guinea and are charged with being accomplices in the same plot.
The 70 will now remain in custody until May 26, when the state is expected to set a trial date.