British Mercenary Gets 34 Years for Failed Coup in Guinea
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
MATABO, Equatorial Guinea –The British mercenary Simon Mann has been jailed for 34 years for his role in a failed plot to overthrow the president of Equatorial Guinea.
A court sitting in the capital Malabo found the 56-year-old former SAS officer guilty of attempting to kill President Nguema, overthrow his government, and disturb the peace and independence of the state in the 2004 plot.
Despite admitting his role in leading a team of mercenaries from South Africa, Mr. Mann received the maximum sentence from the panel of three judges and will have to pay a fine of $200,000 on his release.
He was also ordered to pay a third of the court costs.
Mr. Mann retained his composure as the verdict was announced.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph as he was led away by guards to the notorious Black Beach prison, he sent a message to his family, none of whom had been present in the courtroom: “Hello, lots of love, chin up and all that,” he said.
