Simon Mann goes on trial for Guinea coup

The Old Etonian and former SAS officer Simon Mann (pictured) finally went on trial in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, charged with taking part in a 2004 coup to overthrow President Obiang. Accepting that he was an 'instrument' in the plot, rather than its architect, prosecutors downgraded their earlier call for the death penalty to a request that he be jailed for 30 years if found guilty. They also named Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as a plot organiser.

Mann admitted his involvement in the west African coup after being extradited to Equatorial Guinea in February from Zimbabwe where he had languished in jail since being arrested with 64 other men in 2004. But he said he was not the "main man" behind the plot. He promised to name names and provide hard evidence against the plot's financial backers in return for an early release.

Thatcher has always denied any involvement in the coup. He claims that a helicopter he helped finance was to be used as an air ambulance. Unimpressed with his excuse, the authorities in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea, issued an arrest warrant for him in March.

Mann's trial is being held at a conference centre in Malabo amid heavy security. Journalists were allowed into the court but made to leave mobile phones, cameras and even their notebooks outside.

Mann appointed a new lawyer on Monday, Jose Pablo Nvo, who said he was working for his client "first, to not have a death sentence, and then to stay the least time possible in prison". A verdict is expected as early as Thursday.