Wife's fears for man at centre of alleged coup plot (From Daily Echo)

Wife's fears for man at centre of alleged coup plot

8:02am Wednesday 13th February 2008 in News By Echo Reporter

The Hampshire wife of a British mercenary accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea has told about her fears for her husband.

Simon Mann is "handcuffed and shackled" in one of the country's most notorious prisons, having been moved from Zimbabwe on Friday night.

Prompted by fears of a show trial, his wife Amanda Mann hasshared the findings of the British Consul, who visited him for the first time on Tuesday.

She is reported to say: "I shake with fear of the day I have to tell my children that Simon won't be coming home."

The family own Inchmery House near Lepe in the New Forest.

In 2004, Mann and more than 60 other suspected mercenaries were arrested when their plane was impounded on the runway of Zimbabwe's Harare airport.

Mann claimed he was on his way to guard a mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, Equatorial Guinea authorities believe he was working with the principal opposition leader, Severo Moto, to lead a coup against President Obiang.

Now that he has served four years in Zimbabwe for attempting to possess dangerous weapons, Equatorial Guinea believes he should face trial for their own charges against him.

Although the authorities have said that Mann is being held in a new wing of the prison, his wife has broken her silence because of fears for his health.

She said "he is suffering from a very bad hernia" which his handcuffs prevent him from dealing with.

Sir Mark Thatcher, the son of the former British Prime Minister, was arrested and found guilty of his involvement in helping to finance the alleged coup.

Sir Mark admitted to giving money to his old friend Mann but denied knowledge of Mann's alleged intentions.

Mrs Mann castigated Sir Mark and other associates who have not offered support over the past four years, saying: "I'm hurt because I think what goes around comes around."