Mark TThatcher expected to plead guilty to unwittingly financing plot

Mark Thatcher, son of British former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is expected to plead guilty to unwittingly financing a plot in Equatorial Guinea in an advanced appearance in Cape Town court Thursday, British SkyNews TV reported Wednesday.

Sky said Thatcher, who had been denying any role in the attempted coup in March, 2004, against President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is preparing to admit unwittingly contributing to the coup by paying for air ambulance services used by the mercenaries.

The report said a plea bargaining has been reached between Thatcher, whose trial had been due to start in April, and South Africa.

Under the deal, Thatcher admits guilt in exchange for a fine of about 563,000 US dollars, a suspended five-year sentence and freedom to leave South Africa to reunite with his family in the United States.

Thatcher's wife took their two children to the United States shortly after his arrest in August last year in Cape Town on charges of violating the country's anti-mercenary law. Thatcher, who was later released on bail, has lived in South Africa since 1995.

South Africa's prosecution officials confirmed Wednesday night that 51-year-old Thatcher would appear in the Cape Town High Court Thursday, but declined to give any details.

He also faces charges in Equatorial Guinea, which accused Thatcher of working with the country's opposition and African mercenaries to overthrow Obiang.

Source: Xinhua